The family of former Arsenal and Everton Kevin Campbell have 'questions' about the delay in diagnosing the disease that tragically claimed his life when he was only 54, a coroner was told today.
Mr Campbell died on 15 June last year in the Manchester Royal Infirmary (MRI) with a preliminary cause of death such as multi-organ failure as a result of a heart infection.
An internal assessment of his care from senior doctors discovered that there had been 'some shortcomings' in his treatment, a pre-inquest evaluation that was heard today.
But although one of the clinicians believed that there was 'strong evidence' that his death had been avoidable, others did not agree.
The assessment concluded that his death was 'possibly avoidable but not very likely'.
During his career, Mr Campbell 59 scored goals in 224 games for Arsenal.
In addition to the title 1990/91, he also won the FA Cup, League Cup and European Cup winner's cup in Highbury.
Last year a coroner was told that major safety problems were expressed during his care after he had spent a month in the hospital in the run -up to his death.
Today the Hof van Manchester Coroner heard more details about the run -up to his tragic premature death.
Kevin Campbell (shown in 2002) died on 15 June last year in the Manchester Royal Infirmary (MRI) with a preliminary cause of death as multi-organ failure due to a heart infection
During his career, Mr. Campbell 59 scored goals in 224 games for Arsenal
One of the doctors who carried out the mortality review concluded that there was 'strong evidence' that Mr Campbell's death was avoidable (shown: Kevin Campbell in St James Park in November 2023)
Mr. Campbell spent six and a half weeks at the MRI in early 2024, but 'not a clear underlying cause' for his heart failure was identified, was told.
He then spent a few days in the Salford Royal Hospital with a suspected stroke before a second recording on the MRI.
Sebastian Naughton, who represents his family, said they had 'questions' about Mr Campbell's treatment.
He said that a 'mortality evaluation' was performed by senior doctors after Mr Campbell's death discovered that there had been 'some shortcomings' in his treatment at the MRI.
“The comments from the Mortality Review identified two and a half weeks during the second admission when there was a delay in assessment by kidney and cardiology, which meant that there was a delayed diagnosis of infectious endocarditis,” the lawyer said.
One of the doctors who carried out the mortality assessment concluded that there was 'strong evidence' that his death had been avoidable.
But the others thought there was less evidence of avoidance, the coroner was told.
He said that the family also had 'questions' about the first admission and 'how it is that there was an admission of six and a half weeks and no clear cause was identified'.
Kevin Campbell during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Arsenal FC in St. James Park on November 4, 2023
Kevin Campbell keeps the Coca-Cola Cup up after winning with Arsenal in 1993 at Wembley
Issues include “what difference earlier antibiotic therapy could have made,” said Mr. Naughton.
He said that no electrocardiogram test was performed on the heart of Mr Campbell during his stay in Salford Royal.
“At the very least” the investigation should investigate why this did not happen and “whether someone should have been done,” he argued.
Mr. Naughton asked the coroner to order independent expert evidence and said there was a risk that the Manchester Trust 'actually marked their own homework'.
Mr Golombek said, however, that doctors about the mortality evaluation were sufficiently independent, because all had not been involved in the care of Mr Campbell except one.
Naughton said that Mr. Campbell's family would now consider whether a medical expert would instruct himself.
Opening an investigation into his death last July, Mr Golombek said that the Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, which manages the MRI, had explained a level 5 -incident on the patient – the most serious category – on aspects of the care of Mr Campbell.
Issues that were discussed were 'a delay in aspects of his care and diagnosis, and also concerns about decision -making processes with regard to the institutions of palliative care'.
Mr. Campbell died at the age of 54 in Manchester Royal Infirmary (above) on June 15
Former Arsenal and Everton -Spits Kevin Campbell died at the age of 54
Today's hearing was told that the case had been relegated from level 5 to 'possibly avoidable but not very likely'.
Last July's hearing was told that Mr Campbell was admitted to Manchester Royal Infirmary on 15 May.
“It was reported that he was fit and good until around January 2024 when he had a number of recordings in the hospital before this last admission,” Mr. Golombek said on that occasion.
The coroner said that the preliminary cause of death of Mr Campbell Multi-Organ failure was due to infectious endocarditis.
According to the NHS website, endocarditis is a rare and potentially fatal infection of the inner lining of the heart and is usually caused by bacteria that enter the blood and travel to the heart.
A full investigation will take place on a date to be set.
No family members lived today's hearings with those lawyers participating remotely.
Arsenal placed a moving tribute to their former player at the time of his death and writes: 'We are devastated to hear that our former striker Kevin Campbell died after a short illness.
Campbell became a cult hero on MerseSide during a six-year-old stay in Goodison Park of 1999-2005
'Kevin was worshiped by everyone in the club. We all think of his friends and family in this difficult time. Rest in peace, Kevin. '
Everton also confirmed the news on social media and added their own tribute: 'Everyone at Everton is deeply saddened by the death of our former striker Kevin Campbell at the age of just 54.
'Not only a real goodison park – hero and icon of the English game, but also an incredible person – as everyone who has ever met him will know. Rip, super kev. '
Mr. Campbell spent three years in Nottingham Forest after he came to them in 1995 and had a stop-stop at Trabzonspor in Turkey before moving to Everton in 1999.
He stayed in Everton until 2005, where he spent time as a captain under Walter Smith, and ended his career with spells in West Brom and Cardiff.
Mr. Campbell worked in the media after his gaming career and was a member of the Black Footballers Partnership, which works to increase the voice and influence of black football players.
