THE INQUEST into the death of a Maryport supermarket worker who died of sepsis in hospital in Carlisle has been opened.

David Dixon, 61, of Row Brow Park, died in the Cumberland Infirmary on March 15, 2024, after developing 'overwhelming sepsis.

Assistant Coroner for Cumbria, Ms Margaret Taylor, said that the the case of Mr Dixon's death had been referred to the coroner's court by the medical examiner due to the nature of Mr Dixon's pressure sores he had developed, and whether the cause of death was unnatural.

Ms Taylor said that Mr Dixon had 'a number of co-morbidities', having been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and lymphoma in 2016.

He also suffered from type 2 diabetes, which was 'poorly controlled' with insulin, an ex-smoker, and was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2021.

Mr Dixon developed a pressure sore in hospital in December 2023 but Ms Taylor said that nurses on the ward documented that he 'declined assistance' from the nurses for checking his sores.

Upon discharge, Mr Dixon had daily visits in the community, but demonstrated 'poor adherence to advice'.

He was re-admitted to hospital on February 14, 2024 with sepsis, 'related to a sore', and was in bed 'due to pain', but 'not adherent to pressure-relieving advice'.

Ms Taylor said that while in hospital, he was being treated with radiotherapy for lung cancer, but developed 'overwhelming sepsis'.

The case was adjourned for a further hearing on November 13, 2024.