Venetia Pierce: Prevention of future deaths report

Ms Susan Ridge, H.M. Assistant Coroner for Surrey  

I make this report under paragraph 7(1) of Schedule 5 to The Coroners and Justice Act 2009.

An inquest into Mrs Pierces death was opened on 16 January 2025. The inquest was resumed and concluded on 6 August 2025. The medical cause of Mrs Pierces’ death was: 1a. Nitrofurantoin induced pneumonitis 2. Frailty With respect to where, when and how Mrs Pierce came by her death it was recorded at Box 3 of the Record of Inquest as follows:  Venetia Clarissa Pierce died at the Royal Surrey County Hospital,  Guildford on 30 December 2024 from nitrofurantoin induced pneumonitis a recognised complication of taking that antibiotic. Her underlying frailty contributed to the cause of death as it undermined her ability to recover. Mrs Pierce had been prescribed nitrofurantoin in February 2024 as  prophylactic treatment to prevent recurrent urinary infections. The inquest concluded with a narrative conclusion: Recognised complications of nitrofurantoin medication.    

During the course of the inquest the court heard that Mrs Pierce, an elderly frail lady suffered with recurrent urinary infections. In February  2024 she was prescribed nitrofuratoin by her surgery as a prophylactic  treatment to prevent those infections. As this helped Mrs Pierce, the  prescription was placed on repeat and she continued to take the antibiotic  as a prophylactic.  Over 2024, Mrs Pierce reported a number of lower  respiratory tract infections and periods of coughing. On 22 December 2024 she was taken to hospital and admitted with symptoms of a chest  infection. Although her infection appeared to have reduced and she was  actively treated with antibiotics and steroids, Mrs Pierce continued to  decline. Further testing and examination of her history revealed that it  was more likely than not that she had developed nitrofurantoin induced  pneumonitis which led to her death on 30 December 2024.    

The MATTERS OF CONCERN are:

a. The MHRA issued a drug safety alert regarding the risks of pulmonary and hepatic adverse drug reactions in relation to nitrofurantoin in April  2023. However, no MHRA safety alert appeared on the surgery EMIS  system when the drug was prescribed to Mrs Pierce. The court heard that the safety alert only arises when patients have a pre-existing pulmonary  disease which Mrs Pierce did not have.

b. Although a “recognised” complication, understanding of the potential  for pulmonary damage and respiratory failure from use of nitrofurantoin in the elderly may remain low. The court heard evidence from a  respiratory consultant that awareness amongst GPs, hospital clinicians  including urologists was limited and that even if Mrs Pierce had been  referred to hospital earlier the condition might not have been diagnosed. 

In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I  believe that the people listed in paragraph one above have the power to take such action.   

You are under a duty to respond to this report within 56 days of its date; I may extend that period on request. Your response must contain details of action taken or proposed to be taken, setting out the timetable for such action. Otherwise, you must  explain why no action is proposed.   

I have sent a copy of this report to the following:  

1. Chief Coroner  
2. Mrs Pierces’ family  
3. Surrey Heartlands Integrated Care System
4. Springfield Surgery 
5. Royal Surrey County Hospital