The hospital where Arsenal and Everton footballer Kevin Campbell died is investigating concerns over delays in his care before his death, an inquest has heard. Mr Campbell died at the age of 54 at Manchester Royal Infirmary (MRI) on June 15 after he was admitted there a month earlier. Opening an inquest on Thursday into his death, Zak Golombek, area coroner for Manchester, said Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust , which manages the hospital, had declared a “Level 5 patient safety incident” – the most serious category – about aspects of his care.
Mr Golombek said the provisional cause of death given for Mr Campbell was multi-organ failure due to a heart infection. No family members were present at Manchester Coroner’s Court as Mr Golombek outlined background details. Mr Golombek said: “In terms of the circumstances of his death he had been admitted to Manchester Royal Infirmary on May 15 2024.
“He had been reported to have been fit and well until around January 2024, when he had a number of admissions to hospital before this final admission. “I have been notified that Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust which manages Manchester Royal Infirmary has declared a Level 5 incident related to aspects of Mr Campbell’s care in which there is reference to both a delay in aspects of his care and diagnosis, and also concerns raised over decision-making processes with regards to the institutions of palliative care. “Those matters are now subject to intern.