An inquest heard by a health trust has heard that major concerns were raised over the hospital care for former Arsenal and Everton footballer Kevin Campbell.
The pundit and former star striker, who also played for Nottingham Forest, Everton and West Bromwich Albion and Turkish Süper Lig side, Trabzonspor, died at Manchester Royal Infirmary last month, after being admitted a month earlier. Coroner Zak Golombek 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.
He also said that the provisional cause of death given for Mr Campbell (54) was multi-organ failure due to a heart infection. Mr Golombek outlined background details during the inquest opening, saying that Mr Campbell had been admitted to MRI on 15 May.
"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,” the coroner said. Mr Golombek said the health trust declared a Level 5 incident related to a delay in aspects of Mr Campbell's care and diagnosis, and concerns over decision-making processes about palliative care.
He went on to say that the trust was conducting internal investigations and there would be extra evidence including the investigation report, witness statements from clinicians and a statement from Mr Campbell's next of kin – which include his 24-year-old son, Tyrese, who is also a footballer and who most recently played for Stoke City - said: "I have also received notification from the trust that a medical cause of death can be offered and, therefore, I will consider evidence from the clinicians involved in Mr Campbell's care as to the cause of his death.
"The provisional cause of death, as it stands, refers to Mr Campbell dying from multi-organ failure as a result of infective endocarditis." Infective endocarditis is a rare infection of the inner lining or valves of the heart.
It can be very serious and sometimes fatal and is most commonly caused by bacteria entering the bloodstream from elsewhere in the body and sticking to heart valves. Mr Golombek said final determinations on the medical cause of death and the care received by Mr Campbell "will be made as part of the inquest process".
Scoring 148 goals in 542 appearances, and winning four major trophies with Arsenal, Mr Campbell’s career also saw him playing for Leicester City, Cardiff City and Leyton Orient, Proceedings was adjourned for a hearing at a later date.
