Failed stem cell transplant contributed to death

A coroner has found a failed stem cell transplant contributed to the death of a 54-year-old woman, due to an NHS trust not undertaking appropriate testing on the donor and recipient.

Tina Doig, who had been diagnosed with a rare blood cancer, received a stem cell transplant after a donation from her son.

But she had "an extreme reaction" because of a lack of testing by University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust.

A spokesperson for the Trust said a number of actions had been taken in response to her death.

The inquest into Mrs Doig's death heard that the haematology department was "understaffed and working beyond its capacity", according to a prevention of future deaths report issued by Birmingham coroner Louise Hunt.

A consultant giving evidence confirmed the staffing situation remained the same at the NHS trust in 2025, the report said.

Mrs Doig had been diagnosed with the rare blood cancer, myelodysplasia, in September 2023 and also had an "aggressive haematological condition", as well as a risk of developing acute myeloid leukaemia.

She needed a stem cell transplant, which was to be sourced as soon as possible given the risk of progression of her disease.

Mrs Doig had an unusual antigen type, which the coroner said meant any transfusion or stem cell transplant needed to be carefully tested to avoid rejection.

The coroner said this failed to take place because "there was a failure to appreciate the significance of this testing for Mrs Doig, [and] a communication failure between the hospital and the transfusion service."

Mrs Doig received the stem cell transplant on 4 April 2024, but three weeks later, new blood cells had not formed as a result.

She was treated in hospital for infection before being discharged at the end of May.

In June, she received a double umbilical cord transplant, after which she suffered low-grade fevers and raised inflammatory markers, and was treated for bacteria in the bloodstream.

She deteriorated, suffering sepsis and multi-organ failure, before having two cardiac arrests on 14 and 16 August and dying at Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

Tests taken during the last days of her life confirmed that Mrs Doig's underlying condition had progressed to untreatable acute myeloid leukaemia.

The inquest concluded that there were several contributing factors to her death, including the failed stem cell transplant.

Other causes were her underlying blood cancer and acute myeloid leukaemia, contributed to by sepsis due to prolonged immuno-suppression.

A spokesperson for the NHS trust said: "The trust extends its deepest sympathies to the family of Mrs Doig and has concluded a comprehensive learning outcomes review into her tragic death.

"The trust has taken a number of actions to embed vital learning in response, including a review of consultant and nursing job plans that will allow for dedicated time for transplant planning and multi-disciplinary participation."

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