Mum-of-two Laura Higginson, 30, died at Whiston Hospital after being administered with multiple overdoses of paracetamol over three days
00:01, 15 Mar 2026
Laura Higginson with her husband Antony(Image: Antony Higginson)
Two health watchdogs are looking into reopening an investigation into the death of a young mum after her husband’s tireless nine-year long campaign. Mum-of-two Laura Higginson, 30, died at Whiston Hospital after being administered with multiple overdoses of paracetamol over three days when she was admitted with suspected pneumonia in April 2017.
Laura died of multi-organ failure and sepsis on April 19. The hospital did not inform the family of the overdoses and her husband, Dr Antony Higginson, did not find out about the overdoses until three months after Laura’s death, when her GP showed him a copy of the post-mortem report.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is now weighing whether it has gathered any information or evidence capable of being considered for referral to the police. The ECHO understands the General Medical Council (GMC) and Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), the bodies that oversee medics nationally, are currently reviewing their decisions not to investigate Laura’s death after previously ruling out any action, although neither body would comment publicly about that when asked by the ECHO.
An inquest was finally held into Laura’s death in December 2024, more than seven years after her death, after two coroners previously refused to hold an inquest. The coroner rejected the hospital’s conclusion that the mum, who lived in Widnes, had died of natural causes.
However, he found that “it has not been proven, on the balance of probabilities, that [the overdoses] contributed to her death”, and instead gave a narrative conclusion.
Coroner Simon Holder wrote a letter to the CQC, stating that the Trust had fallen below the “fundamental” duty of candour in its handling of Laura’s death. Dr Higginson is now receiving support from the Hillsborough Law Now Group.
The Hillsborough Law would enforce a legal duty of candour on public authorities and officials, ensuring honesty and cooperation with investigations, in an effort to prevent cover-ups of the kind that followed the Hillsborough Disaster.
Laura Higginson, of Widnes, with her daughter Evie(Image: Antony Higginson)
Dr Higginson said the Hillsborough Law would have helped as he battled for information from the NHS Trust, coroners, watchdogs, police and other bodies.
Laura, who was 5’1″ and weighed 6st, had been given multiple doses of paracetamol which were too high for a woman of her size. Dr Higginson said he was unable to consent to the post-mortem carried out following Laura’s death as he did not know about the overdoses.
He told the ECHO after the inquest that the ruling was a blow to the family after eight years. He said: “They all had the opportunity to tell us, either Laura or myself or her parents. They could have raised the alert and they chose not to.”
“If they had been honest from the start, we wouldn’t be here eight years on. What makes it worse for us is I did go to a coroner in 2019 and they didn’t open an inquest then. It’s a bitter pill to swallow.”
A Trust spokesperson said: “The Trust offers its sincere condolences to Mrs Higginson’s family. When the higher‑than‑recommended paracetamol dose was identified, staff responded accordingly.
Laura and Antony on their wedding day, with son Steven(Image: Antony Higginson)
“The coroner was informed of the errors identified. An investigation was carried out, informed by independent medical experts, which concluded that the effect of the paracetamol dose was transient and did not contribute to Mrs Higginson’s death. This was also the finding of the coroner at inquest.
“The Trust is confident that it acted in line with the principles of openness and honesty, and continues to take its duty of candour extremely seriously.”
Lesley Maslen, NMC Executive Director of Professional Regulation, said: “The death of Laura Higginson, a young mother, is a tragedy. Our thoughts are with her husband, family and friends.
“With respect to our Fitness to Practise processes, where we receive new information, we can review concerns that have been raised about professionals on the Register.
“Our enquiries will often involve reviewing complex information from many sources and the evidence informs our decision-making. Our aim is to protect the public, while ensuring any action we take is both fair and proportionate. However, to ensure a fair process for everyone involved, we cannot confirm or comment on individual cases.”
A spokesperson for the GMC said: “At the heart of this tragic case is Laura Higginson, a young mother who lost her life while an inpatient at Whiston Hospital. Our thoughts and condolences are with her husband and family.
“We will investigate when there is evidence that indicates a doctor’s fitness to practise could be impaired. Our enquiries and investigations often involve reviewing complex information from multiple sources to inform our decisions and to ensure that any regulatory action is proportionate, fair and in the interests of patient safety.
“We do not take this responsibility lightly and are not complacent about the impact on those involved – especially grieving families.”
A spokesperson for Merseyside Police said: “A full investigation took place, all relevant parties were spoken to, and the CPS made the decision that no further action would be taken. All parties were informed of the outcome in September 2022.”
