Worthing aunt died from '˜aggressive infection'

Tributes have been paid to a '˜much-loved' and '˜great auntie' who died in hospital following an aggressive infection.
County Hall North. 17-03-15. JPCT. Pic Steve Robards SUS-150317-151409001County Hall North. 17-03-15. JPCT. Pic Steve Robards SUS-150317-151409001
County Hall North. 17-03-15. JPCT. Pic Steve Robards SUS-150317-151409001

Melina Tickner, 44, of Chesswood Road, Worthing, had a ‘troubled and difficult’ childhood and adult life, and injected Class A drugs.

An inquest into her death was held at Parkside, in Horsham, on February 22.

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Ms Tickner, was admitted to Worthing Hospital on July 17, with a painful infection in her groin and suspected deep vein thrombosis.

After a few days treatment in hospital, doctors thought her condition was stabilising but Ms Tickner’s health deteriorated after an aneurysm caused sepsis.

She was transferred to the Royal Sussex County Hospital on July 22, for an operation. However, surgeons at the Brighton hospital said ‘surgery was not compatible with life’ as medics discovered Ms Tickner had developed nectrotising faciitis – commonly known as a flesh-eating bacteria.

Chris Wilkinson, assistant coroner for West Sussex said: “When they actually went for surgery it appeared the infection was quite significant.

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“It is a very aggressive and almost unstoppable bacterial infection.”

Recording a narrative verdict, Mr Wilkinson said despite appropriate attempts from medical staff Ms Tickner died as a result of significant blood loss and significant tissue damage from necrotising faciitus and organ failure.

He added she will be ‘greatly missed’ by her wider family.

Ms Tickner had received help from drug and alcohol recovery services in Worthing.

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