Dame Julie Kenny: Doncaster hospital death could have been prevented

The death of pioneering South Yorkshire businesswoman Dame Julie Kenny in Doncaster Royal Infimary could have been avoided, a coroner has said at the conclusion of an inquest into her death.

Dame Julie, one of the Yorkshire region’s most dynamic and respected businesswomen and the champion of Wentworth Woodhouse, died suddenly at the age of 67 in February last year.

A mother of three, grandmother of eight, wife to Iain and step-mother to his three children, she died after a short illness on February 21, at DRI.

Coroner Nicola Mundy said that on the balance of probabilities, she would have survived had opportunities to diagnose and treat her condition earlier had not been missed.

A number of failings in her care were identified, particularly around the interpretation and reporting of early outsourced radiology scans, reporting on and responses to the severity of her pain, and reassessment of her condition as she deteriorated.

In response to the findings, Dame Julie’s sons Laurence and Oliver Kenny and daughter Charlotte Kenny-Martin said: “The Coroner’s conclusion has confirmed our fears about the care our mum received in the days leading up to her death.

“It has been incredibly difficult to hear that, had she received proper care while she was in hospital, she would have survived.

“We raised concerns about the severe pain our mum was experiencing and whether opportunities to diagnose and treat her condition sooner had been missed.

“The Coroner’s findings have now validated those concerns.

“No family should have to learn that their loved one’s death could have been avoided.

“People place their trust in healthcare professionals at their most vulnerable moments.

“Our mum did the same. She was a much-loved mum, grandmother, wife and friend, who achieved so much during her life.

“Her loss is felt by us every day.

“We would like to thank the Coroner, Nicola Mundy, for her thorough investigation into our mum’s case.

“We are also grateful to our legal team for their support throughout this difficult time.”

One of the key issues examined during the evidence was the reporting of Dame Julie’s initial CT scan, which had been outsourced by an external radiology provider.

The Coroner found an important feature visible on the scan was not included in the report provided by the radiologist to the treating clinicians.

She found that, had it been reported, it would have prompted further investigation and a better, more proactive management plan.

James Drydale, Partner at Taylor Emmet Solicitor, representing the family, said, “As a result of the evidence heard by the Coroner, she confirmed that she will be writing to the Royal College of Radiologists.

“Whilst she concluded that the threshold for issuing a Prevention of Future Deaths Report was not met, it is significant that she has decided to take this action.

“Evidence heard by the Coroner highlighted conflicting views about whether there are discrepancies in reporting error rates between in-house NHS radiology services and outsourced private radiology companies.

“She feels that this warrants further consideration by the profession’s governing body.

“The family hopes this will lead to careful examination of the issues raised during the inquest around outsourcing radiology reports, and improve patient safety and ensure lessons are learned from this deeply tragic case.”

Dame Julie died at Doncaster Royal Infirmary on 21 February 2025.

She initially attended the Accident and Emergency (A&E) department at Bassetlaw Hospital on 8 February, after experiencing severe abdominal pain.

She was transferred to Doncaster Royal Infirmary on 9 February, and tragically passed away 13 days later.

The medical cause of death was determined as multiple organs failure caused by a bowel condition developed during her admission to hospital.

Although emergency surgery was ultimately undertaken, the damage was extensive, and Dame Julie’s condition continued to deteriorate.

Her success as a self-made entrepreneur, and the numerous accolades and honorary roles bestowed on her, made her an inspirational figure across every sector she touched.

Sheffield-born, she left a lasting legacy in South Yorkshire but particularly so in Rotherham, the town she always said had forged her.

It was where in 1986 she founded her company Pyronix, manufacturer of electronic security equipment, which she grew into a multi-award-winning global business.

She was a government-appointed commissioner to Rotherham Council from 2015-18 after the town was rocked by a child sexual exploitation scandal, and was made a Freewoman of Rotherham in 2020.

But her greatest mark on Rotherham was her work to rescue Wentworth Woodhouse, Rotherham’s Grade I Listed masterpiece, from decay and decline, which she described as ‘one of the most inspiring, yet hardest, challenges of my life.”

She said: “When I first saw the house I could not believe we had something so beautiful. I believed it was a beacon, one we could make a destination for people from around the world, and how proud that would make Rotherham feel.

“Many people told me it was impossible. But my view is that nothing is impossible with time, energy and belief.”

She was made a Dame Commander of the British Empire in 2019 in recognition of her five-year campaign with SAVE Britain's Heritage to buy the house in 2017 and her ongoing leadership of Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust.

Dame Julie often said that surviving a difficult childhood gave her the motivation to succeed.

She grew up in an impoverished, chaotic household in Hillsborough and Stannington, Sheffield. By the age of 10 she was caring for her baby brother and responsible for cooking and cleaning, but always prioritising homework and school.

She left at 18 to become a legal secretary in Cornwall. She was swiftly offered legal training and went on to a successful career as a litigation lawyer.

She launched Pyronix with her first husband, but their marriage ended and Dame Julie continued to lead the growing business as a single mother of three, supported by two nannies working around the clock.

She flew to all corners of the globe, winning trade in 65 countries. When she sold Pyronix in 2016, a move she saw as crucial to growth and job security, turnover was £25 million.