'Opportunities were missed' to save life of 'loving' care worker - Jersey Evening Post
by James Sharp · Jersey Evening PostPosted inNews
‘Opportunities were missed’ to save life of ‘loving’ care worker
Family ‘gobsmacked’ after hearing inquest’s findings
by James Sharp 24 July 202624 July 2026
Share this:
A support worker for people with learning disabilities passed away after “opportunities were missed” to save her life following a misjudged liver biopsy, an inquest has found.
Bgwilizani Tunu, 56, tragically passed away in Jersey General Hospital on 8 August 2025, having suffered a 35mm cut across the outer part of her liver during an invasive operation.
An inquest held at Morier House yesterday found that “systems issues” and a “lack of effective pathways for escalation” contributed to her “untimely” passing.
Acting coroner Deputy Viscount Matthew Berry re-opened the inquest yesterday after adjourning proceedings on 21 August 2025 for funeral arrangements to take place.
In attendance were three members of Ms. Tunu’s family, Assistant Medical Director Professor John McInerney, and Consultant Radiologist Dr Nicholas Dodds.
It was heard that PhD-educated Ms. Tunu – referred to throughout the hearing as ‘BG’ – arrived in Jersey on a temporary visa in early 2024 to work as a support worker for people with learning disabilities.
I would like her to be remembered as a very loving and caring person
Ms Tunu’s cousin Andrew Moyo
In late July 2025, she was diagnosed with “extensive cancer” that had spread to the liver, bones, lymph nodes, lungs, and heart.
On 31 July, it was decided that an “ultrasound-guided liver biopsy” would be necessary to help identify the cancer and inform future treatment options.
Several days later, the 56-year-old was admitted to Jersey General Hospital after suffering a fracture to the left femur.
Over a week later, on 8 August, a high National Early Warning Score (NEWS) prompted a medical review for Ms. Tunu that was not fully documented by the relevant doctor.
An “urgent” liver biopsy was nevertheless prioritized for Ms. Tunu the following day despite the fact that she was in a “sub-optimal” physiological state, the inquest heard.
Concerns about the patient’s “deteriorating” clinical condition were not relayed to Consultant Radiologist Dr. Dodds due to a “limited” handover.
During the liver biopsy, Ms. Tunu received an “unintended” 35mm laceration to her liver capsule causing internal bleeding, which in turn led to a life-threatening haemorrhage.
The inquest heard that the laceration was “likely” attributable to Ms. Tunu moving around during the procedure, which requires patients to stay still.
Expert opinion provided by Professor of Pathology at Southampton University, William Roche, suggested that it would have been “prudent” for the Consultant to assess Ms. Tunu’s ability to hold her breath ahead of the operation.
Giving evidence yesterday, Dr. Dodds said he was “devastated” to have caused the laceration – while referring to a lack of adequate handover information.
Following the procedure, Ms. Tunu was then transferred to a different ward and misdiagnosed by nurses as potentially suffering from sepsis.
Despite a recorded ‘NEWS’ score of 8 at 15.51pm, the incident was not re-escalated to Dr. Dodds – and Ms. Tunu was pronounced dead at 19.45pm.
The consultant radiologist was not informed of his patient’s passing until several days after her death, it was heard.
Summarising the evidence, Deputy Viscount said the haemorrhage suffered by Ms. Tunu was caused by “a number of factors.”
“These included that BG was not medically optimised before the biopsy, that her condition had shown signs of deteriorating [and] important clinical information was not effectively communicated.”
He also referred to a “deficiency in escalation processes and decision making” following the eventual biopsy.
Deputy Viscount Berry noted that measures have been “put in place” since her death, including the “establishment of an additional operating suite within the main theatre to support interventional radiology patients.”
There are also “much clearer procedures in place when someone becomes very ill post-operatively,” he added.
Turning to his findings, he stated that “opportunities were missed to escalate diagnosis and then treat the haemorrhage, which may have saved her life.”
Addressing Ms. Tunu’s family, he said: “I express my condolences to all of you for your loss, and I’m very grateful for your participation.”
Speaking after the inquest, Ms Tunu’s cousin Andrew Moyo told the JEP that the “basics were not met” after his family member’s liver biopsy.
“For such a large hospital, there must have been a protocol for her to be referred back to the consultant,” he stated. “I know it’s all been said, but we’re sitting here gobsmacked that things could have been better.”
“I would like her to be remembered as a very loving and caring person who did a job which she could have done with eyes closed, because she looked after everyone anyway, regardless of the job she did,” he added.
Related
Read the latest free supplements
Read the Homelife, Connect and a whole host of other subjects like ranging from cycling to travel.
View all our latest supplements now >