Two under-qualified doctors, consultant anaesthetist, Dr Errol Cornish (68), and his colleague Dr Nadeem Azeez (52), have been accused of being responsible for the death of 30-year-old primary school teacher, Frances Cappuccini, shortly after she gave birth to her second child. Her death was deemed as “totally unexpected and avoidable”.
A court heard how the two doctors watched as the healthy young woman passed away without taking the basic steps that could have saved her. The duo were accused of causing her death as a result of displaying gross negligence during their care and treatment in October 2012.
The primary teacher had a c-section and was suffering from heavy bleeding. Surgeons had successfully removed sections of placenta that had been left inside her uterus by mistake. She was then left in the cafe of Dr Cornish and Dr Azeez. However, she died after a few hours, died died from a massive heart attack after a build-up of acid in the body, due to not being able to breathe.
South Africa born Dr Cornish went on trial at Inner London Crown Court for manslaughter, whereas Dr Azeez had fled to his native Pakistan and hence, could not be charged.
Prosecutor, John Price, QC, told the jury, “Her death[Frances Cappuccini] was, of course, in those circumstances, totally unexpected. More than that, it was wholly avoidable and it was clear from a very early stage that something had gone very badly wrong. What went wrong on October 9 2012, was the very serious failings in the adequacy of care and treatment she received from the two anaesthetists.”
Recent revelations have emerged that Dr Azeez was previously involved in an incident at the same hospital, in March 2012; seven months prior to the death of Frances Cappuccini. It was revealed in court how Dr Azeez was responsible for anaesthetising a woman who suffered a haemorrhage after childbirth and needed her placenta to be removed. However, Dr Azeez allegedly made errors which led to a “critical” incident where the patient had to be revived following a “serious” fall in blood pressure.
The jury heard how Dr Azeez allegedly failed to document the patient's assessment appropriately, or give intravenous antibiotics, and also failed to replace fluids adequately.
John Price also alleged that Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells Trust had failed to check the qualifications and training of Dr Azeez and Dr Cornish. Prior to making them permanent members of the medical staff. However, Dr Cornish and the Trust have pleaded not guilty to these charges at an earlier hearing. The trial continues.
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Dr Errol Cornish
Dr Cornish was born in South Africa. From 2009-2010, he was employed as a locum anaesthetist consultant by Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust.
In 2012, he returned to the trust in the same position at Tunbridge Wells Hospital until the death of Frances Cappuccini in October 2012.
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Dr Nadeem Azeez
Dr Azeez graduated in Medicine from Punjab University, Pakistan. He travelled to the UK to work in 2003.
In the UK, his qualifications were recognised by the General Medical Council, which only allowed him to practice at a basic level. He failed to obtain a post graduate qualification as an anaesthetist, even though he applied for this position with Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust in 2007.
