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Herpes deaths: Surgeon never had the virus, inquest told Herpes deaths: Surgeon never had the virus, inquest told
(about 4 hours later)
Samantha Mulcahy (left) and Kimberley Sampson died weeks apart after being operated on by the same surgeonSamantha Mulcahy (left) and Kimberley Sampson died weeks apart after being operated on by the same surgeon
A surgeon who operated on two women who died with herpes shortly after they gave birth has told an inquest he has never had the virus.A surgeon who operated on two women who died with herpes shortly after they gave birth has told an inquest he has never had the virus.
Kim Sampson and Samantha Mulcahy died with the virus after the surgeon at the East Kent Hospitals University NHS Trust carried out their Caesareans.Kim Sampson and Samantha Mulcahy died with the virus after the surgeon at the East Kent Hospitals University NHS Trust carried out their Caesareans.
The surgeon - who cannot be named for legal reasons - insisted he always wore a mask during surgery, and scrubbed up.The surgeon - who cannot be named for legal reasons - insisted he always wore a mask during surgery, and scrubbed up.
He also told the hearing he had always worn double gloves.He also told the hearing he had always worn double gloves.
Ms Sampson's baby boy was delivered at the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital in Margate in May 2018.Ms Sampson's baby boy was delivered at the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital in Margate in May 2018.
In July of that year, first-time mother Mrs Mulcahy died from an infection caused by the same virus at the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford.In July of that year, first-time mother Mrs Mulcahy died from an infection caused by the same virus at the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford.
Both hospitals are run by the same trust.
In March, the Mid Kent and Medway Coroner, Catherine Wood, accepted an application from the trust to give anonymity to the surgeon common to both cases.In March, the Mid Kent and Medway Coroner, Catherine Wood, accepted an application from the trust to give anonymity to the surgeon common to both cases.
'Not tested''Not tested'
At an inquest examining the deaths of the two women, held in Maidstone, the surgeon was asked if there could have been a droplet infection at the time of the operations. The coroner told the surgeon of two theories which suggest he may have been "a potential source of infection".
The surgeon replied: "I'm wearing the mask and I'm not having the infection. The first theory was there could have been droplet infection and the second theory was the infection could have come from a whitlow, which is a herpes infection of the finger.
"Never had it. And the mask was there." The surgeon said he had never had the infection, adding: "The mask was there."
The surgeon was asked if the herpes infection the women developed could have come from a whitlow on his hand - a lesion typically on a finger or thumb caused by the herpes simplex virus. He continued: "I never had a lesion or broken gloves. If I had broken my gloves I would see and it would be easy to see it. I never had a lesion is my answer and I am sure that none of my gloves were broken because they were new."
The surgeon replied: "Never had a whitlow, I've never had herpes. He insisted his methods for maintaining good hand hygiene standards were up to medical guidelines.
"I was wearing double gloves. I've never had a lesion, never had herpes before. I'm sure none of my gloves were broken." The inquest was told the surgeon was contacted by a representative from occupational health in July 2018 and was not told he needed to be screened.
He said he had not been invited by the East Kent Hospitals Trust to have a test for herpes at any stage following the deaths of the two women. 'Not offered antibody test'
The surgeon said: "I asked her if I had to do anything and she said no."
He said he was not offered an antibody test "at any stage" during their talk and he said he would have been willing to do it.
He offered his condolences to the families.
Asked by the Sampson family's lawyer, Jemma Lee, if he could be certain he checked his gloves, the surgeon replied: "I am checking in all incidences. I should know if I come into contact with the patient's blood or not."
He also said his mask did not get wet - "never, even when I'm speaking".
The inquest continues.The inquest continues.
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Related TopicsRelated Topics
MargateMargate
AshfordAshford
NHSNHS