Self-neglect concerns prompt inquest after septic shock

Friday 31 December 2021

An inquest has been opened into the death of a 70-year-old woman after she died following a suspected septic shock caused by a urinary tract infection.

Susan Freer, née Buesnel, died on 18 December on Rozel Ward in the hospital.

She had been brought to hospital earlier in the day by ambulance following a call from her GP who visited her at home. When she arrived in hospital, Mrs Freer was unresponsive, and staff treated her for sepsis.

Despite their efforts to resuscitate her, she died later that day.

Her death was reported to Advocate Mark Harris, the Deputy Viscount, on 22 December over concerns about self-neglect.

Yesterday, Advocate Harris opened an inquest into the death of Mrs Freer. During the short hearing, it was heard that she had a history of depression and anxiety along with alcoholic liver disease (cirrhosis).

It was also mentioned she lived by herself and was already known to government services.

Samantha Rawlinson, Police Coroner’s Officer, said the police were not treating the death as suspicious.