29-year-old mother of three died two days after routine procedure at Walsall Manor

Mother of three Tracey Bannister, from Bloxwich, had already undergone two similar procedures last year before going to Walsall Manor Hospital in June. She had been suffering from gall bladder problems for 18 months.

The procedure saw her have a small tube known as a stent, taken out in a procedure which saw her operated on and discharged on the same day.

However she soon began to feel unwell and spent the day following her operation in bed before a ambulance was called the next morning.

She was taken to hospital but rapidly deteriorated and died around an hour after she arrived.

A statement from her mother read out at the inquest called for the death to be fully investigated as she couldn't understand how she could go into hospital as 'healthy as ever' on June 24 only to die two days later on June 26.

An inquest into her death was held at Smethwick Coroners Court yesterday.

The hearing was told that the doctor who performed the procedure said it had gone 'absolutely fine' and said staff were shocked at what happened.

Paramedic Miss Young, from West Midlands Ambulance Service saw Miss Bannister at home and said she was sat on the sofa alert but the palms of her hands were blue and her blood sugar levels were low.

Once at Walsall Manor Hospital, Miss Bannister rapidly deteriorated, her major organs began to shut down and she suffered a cardiac arrest. She died about an hour after arriving at the hospital.

Senior coroner Zafar Siddique said had she sought help sooner the outcome may have been different and concluded that she died of natural causes.

A post mortem found Miss Bannister had jaundice and underlying liver problems.

Senior coroner Zafar Siddique said: " My conclusion is that she died of natural causes."

The cause of death was recorded as sepsis, liver failure and biliary obstruction and a contributory factor was recorded as obesity.

Mr Siddique added: "I am satisfied on the balance of probability that she had liver failure. There is a possibility that if she had sought medical advice earlier the outcome may have been different. I will write to the trust with recommendations to prevent future deaths in similar circumstances and to modify the information forms given to patients regarding feeling unwell. It is a concern of mine."

Mr Siddique added: "The death of a young woman with young children is a devastating tragedy."

After the verdict, Diane Bannister said: "Today has been a difficult day for all of the family. Although we have found out more information we still do not have all of the answers to our questions. We are pleased that the coroner has made recommendations about the advice patients will receive when they leave the hospital but it is a great shame that I have had to lose Tracey for this to happen."