A FORMER Poole Hospital consultant who died of multi-organ failure after an infection turned to sepsis had been an intravenous drug user, an inquest heard yesterday.

Simon Bell, aged 50, died in Poole Hospital last October.

Assistant Dorset Coroner Deborah Rookes, who presided over the Bournemouth inquest, heard evidence from Mr Bell's partner, Andrew Slatter, about how the doctor started to feel ill while on holiday in the USA days earlier.

The couple had tried to seek medical advice in America, but had no medical insurance so were forced to fly back to the UK.

Upon return to his Bourne Avenue home, Bournemouth, Mr Bell spent two days in bed before his condition worsened, prompting Mr Slatter and a friend to call out an ambulance.

Mr Bell – whose initial symptoms had presented as leg and arm pain – was admitted to Poole Hospital on October 4, 2018, but his condition quickly deteriorated.

Family of Mr Bell, who attended Tuesday's inquest, questioned Poole Intensive Care Consultant, Dr James Keagan, on whether any delay in hospital treatment would have affected the eventual outcome. Dr Keagan said he was unable to confirm this, but added: "With sepsis the earlier we are able to treat with intravenous antibiotics the better."

Mrs Rookes heard evidence that Mr Bell, who was HIV positive, had a history of intravenous drug use.

In 2015 Mr Bell was banned from the roads for drink driving, having been found twice the legal limit.

At that time he had been employed as a consultant in emergency medicine at Poole Hospital, but had been off sick for several months.

Speaking to the Echo after the drink driving case in 2015, Mr Bell said he had not been working at Poole Hospital when the incident occurred, and had not seen any patients since 2014.

Recording a verdict of 'drug-related death', Mrs Rookes said: "On October 4, 2018, the deceased, who was a known intravenous drug user, was admitted to Poole Hospital.

"He was treated with antibiotics and received maximum multi-organ support from the intensive care team at Poole General Hospital.

"Despite this, he deteriorated and died at 9.34am on October 5.

"On the basis if the evidence I have heard today, I am satisfied that on the balance of probabilities, that the appropriate conclusion is drug-related death."