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Baby's death prompts Cumbria coroner codeine concerns
Overview
A coroner in Cumbria has highlighted concerns regarding clinical understanding of codeine dangers following the death of a newborn baby, Isla McVeigh, who died in July 2024. Assistant coroner Robert Cohen found that the infant was dependent on opiates due to her mother's codeine use and likely died from asphyxiation in an unsafe sleeping environment, with opiate sedation as a possible contributory factor. The coroner noted a lack of professional curiosity and a failure among clinicians to probe opiate use, viewing prescribed codeine as unconcerned. Both the North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust and Cumberland Council have launched reviews and implemented actions to improve clinical guidance, safeguarding, and referral thresholds.
Key points
- Newborn baby Isla McVeigh died on 25 July 2024 from likely asphyxiation in an unsafe sleeping environment, with opiate sedation potentially contributing.
- Assistant coroner Robert Cohen reported that the infant was dependent on opiates due to her mother taking codeine during pregnancy.
- The coroner found clinicians were insufficiently clear on codeine dangers and displayed a lack of professional curiosity regarding opiate use.
- Evidence suggested professionals believed codeine dependence was unconcerned because it had been prescribed.
- The coroner warned of a significant risk of future deaths unless action was taken to address clinical guidance and safeguarding referral thresholds.
- The North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust and Cumberland Council have initiated reviews and action plans to update guidance and enhance safeguarding.