Concerns raised over hospital care given to Arsenal and Everton striker Kevin Campbell before his death at Manchester Royal Infirmary amid 'Level 5 patient incident'

An inquest into the death of former Arsenal and Everton striker Kevin Campbell has opened with ‘concerns’ raised over the care he received at Manchester Royal Infirmary.

The former professional footballer and Sky Sports pundit sadly died at the hospital on June 15 this year aged just 54, Manchester Coroner's Court heard on Thursday (July, 4).

Area Coroner Zak Golombeck said the striker had reported to have felt ‘fit and well’ until around January this year when he had ‘a number of admissions to hospital’ before this final admission on May 17.

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Mr Golombeck gave Mr Campbell’s provisional cause of death as multi organ failure as a result of infective endocarditis - a rare and potentially fatal infection of the heart - but stressed the final cause of death will be made following a full inquest which he adjourned.

Mr Golombeck said the Manchester University NHS Trust, which manages Manchester Royal Infirmary, had declared a Level 5 patient safety incident – the most serious category – about aspects of Mr Campbell's care.

He said within the incident alert there is a reference to both a 'delay in aspects of Mr Campbell’s care and diagnosis', and also 'concerns raised over the decision-making processes with regards to the institutions of palliative care'.

Mr Golombeck said the matters are now subject to an internal investigation by the hospital trust and ordered for additional evidence to be obtained ahead of the next hearing, including an investigation report, witness statements from all relevant clinicians involved in Mr Campbell's care, and a statement from his next of kin setting out any concerns that the family may have in relation to his