Valerie Hampson

I am Chris Morris, Area Coroner for Greater Manchester (South).

On 28 th February 2025, I opened an inquest into the death of Valerie Hampson who died at Willow Wood Hospice, Ashton-under-Lyne on 29 th December 2024, aged 82 years. The investigation  concluded with an inquest which I heard on 11 th June 2025. A post mortem examination determined Mrs Hampson died as a consequence of Non-Hodgkin’s  Lymphoma. At the end of the inquest, I recorded a conclusion of Natural Causes .

Mrs Hampson died at Willow Wood Hospice, Ashton-under-Lyne on 29th December 2024 as a  consequence of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, having first been diagnosed with a low grade follicular  Lymphoma in 2023.

During the course of the inquest the evidence revealed matters giving rise to concern. In my opinion there is a risk that future deaths will occur unless action is taken. In the circumstances it is my  statutory duty to report to you. The MATTERS OF CONCERN are as follows. – The court heard evidence that in October 2024, Mrs Hampson sustained minor wounds to both  knees in a fall outside her home. Mrs Hampson was later seen on a number of occasions in the  Emergency Department and referred herself to the District Nurses on 4 th October 2024 for wound  care, remaining on their case load until her admission to Tameside General Hospital on 30 th October  2024. By the time Mrs Hampson’s wounds were formally assessed in hospital by a Tissue Viability Nurse on 31 st October 2024, the wound to her left knee was described as ‘ 5.4cm x 13cm 10% necrosis (thick  dark devitalized tissue) 40% slough (yellow devitalized tissue) 50% granulation tissue .’ I am concerned that the Trust has not undertaken any serious incident investigation with a view to identifying if any learning could usefully be identified in the light of the progression of Mrs  Hampson’s left leg wound whilst under the care of the District Nurses. It is a further matter of concern that the court heard evidence that an Orthopaedic review undertaken in the Emergency Department on Mrs Hampson’s initial attendance resulted in a recommendation that Mrs Hampson should be followed up in fracture clinic. For reasons which did not become clear during the inquest, the evidence of the consultant orthopaedic surgeon was that no such follow up appears to have taken place.

In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe you and your  organisation have the power to take such action.