Jess Cronshaw who tragically died in 2022
Pregnancy Sickness Support, the UK’s leading charity for those affected by nausea and vomiting in pregnancy and Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG), responds to the coroner’s inquest into the tragic deaths of Jessica Elizabeth Cronshaw and her daughter, Elsie Jessica Leck. The inquest, conducted by Assistant Coroner Kate Bisset and highlighting the failure in providing adequate treatment and care for Jessica’s HG, draws a direct correlation to her severe mental health decline and subsequent death.
The report’s findings are a pivotal moment for healthcare systems, emphasising the necessity for timely, integrated care addressing both physical and mental health challenges in pregnancy. Assistant Coroner Kate Bisset stated in the report, “The absence of comprehensive care for Jessica’s severe pregnancy sickness was a contributing factor to her mental health deterioration.” This statement underlines the need for a systemic change in approach to HG management.
Charlotte Howden, CEO of Pregnancy Sickness Support, said, “The coroner’s detailed investigation reveals significant care gaps for women with hyperemesis gravidarum (HG). This is a major advancement in acknowledging their comprehensive care needs. It is imperative that healthcare providers across the UK enact necessary changes to prevent a recurrence of such a tragedy.”
Dr Caitlin Dean, Spokesperson and Trustee at Pregnancy Sickness Support, who advocated for the family at the inquest, said: “The inquest’s acknowledgement of the link between inadequate HG treatment and severe mental health issues is a long-overdue revelation. For too long, the severity of HG has been underappreciated. This marks a crucial turning point for how this condition is perceived and treated.”
Assistant Coroner Kate Bisset further emphasised, “This case should serve as a reminder to healthcare professionals about the critical importance of addressing the wide-ranging impacts of hyperemesis gravidarum, including its mental health aspects.”
The charity underscores the catastrophic consequences of neglecting the comprehensive needs of women with HG. Hospitals and trusts are urged to see these findings as an impetus for reviewing and improving their practices. Pregnancy Sickness Support is dedicated to aiding healthcare providers in creating effective hyperemesis pathways and is available to help integrate proper care pathways into healthcare settings.
Together, we can ensure that the tragedies experienced by Jessica Cronshaw and her family are not repeated and that women with HG receive the all-encompassing care and support they deserve.
