News and events

Comments for the media following death of schoolgirl Natalie Morton, in Coventry.
Statement issued 11am on 01/10/09:
Dr Caron Grainger, Joint Director of Public Health for NHS Coventry and Coventry City Council, said: “The pathologist has confirmed today at the opening of the inquest into the death of Natalie Morton that she died from a large malignant tumour of unknown origin in the heart and lungs. There is no indication that the HPV vaccine, which she had received shortly before her death, was a contributing factor to the death, which could have arisen at any point.”

“We hope that this news will reassure parents that the vaccine is safe and that they should continue to encourage their daughters to be protected against cervical cancer. The HPV vaccination programme will continue as planned in the city from Monday.”

Editors Notes:

Half of all sexually active women will be infected by a strain of HPV in their lifetime, which is responsible for causing more than 99% of cervical cancer cases. The vaccine could eventually prevent up to 400 deaths due to cervical cancer every year


Dr Caron Grainger, Joint Director of Public Health for NHS Coventry and Coventry City Council: - (9pm 29/09/09)
“The preliminary post mortem results have revealed a rare serious underlying medical condition which was likely to have caused death.

“We are awaiting further test results which will take some time. However indications are that it was most unlikely that the HPV vaccination was the cause of death.

“We would again like to reiterate our sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Natalie Morton during this difficult time.”

Editors notes:
• A post mortem examination was carried out at University Hospital in Coventry by an independent forensic pathologist.
• The family have been informed of the preliminary result.

Statement from NHS Coventry on status of other girls reported to have experienced mild symptoms following administration of HPV Vaccine.
A spokesman at NHS Coventry said: “Nine pupils at Blue Coat School reported feeling unwell following the administration of their HPV Vaccine on Monday 28th September. Following the sad death of a pupil at the school, NHS Coventry have had contact with all of these pupils over night and this morning. Local doctors and the Walk-in centre staff have provided advice and have reported that the pupils have experienced mild symptoms in line with usually reported side effects.”

For the Department of Health Statement (29/09/09), please click here

Statement from Coventry Blue Coat Church of England School and Music College - (29/09/09)
Please click here to view this statement

Press Statement (29/09/09 - 13.45pm)
A spokesman said: ”NHS Coventry can confirm that Natalie Morton’s post mortem examination is taking place today (Tuesday, 29th of September) at University Hospital in Coventry and is being conducted by an independent forensic pathologist. The PCT will share any interim findings at the appropriate stage in the coming days.”

Press Statement (29/09/09 - 12.30pm)
A spokesman for NHS Coventry said: "NHS Coventry has not suspended its local HPV Programme in the city. We have taken the decision to reschedule the catch up clinics planned for today and tomorrow (Tuesday and Wednesday)to be able to brief our frontline clinicans who are responsible for delivering the vaccine programme in the community, so that they are prepared to handle any enquiries they may get. We fully expect to resume the programme in the coming days."

Press Statement (29/09/09)
A statement on behalf of the Morton family issued via NHS Coventry:
“On behalf of all of Natalie’s family we would like to extend our thanks to all those who have shown concern and sympathy following Natalie’s tragic death. We would ask for time and privacy now to mourn a precious daughter, sister and granddaughter”.

Press Statement (28/09/09)
Dr Caron Grainger, Joint Director of Public Health for NHS Coventry and Coventry City Council, said: “A 14-year-old girl took ill at a school in Coventry and was taken to University Hospital in the city where she later sadly died. Our sympathies are with the girl’s family and friends at this difficult time.

“The incident happened shortly after the girl had received her HPV Vaccine in the school. No link can be made between the death and the vaccine until all the facts are known and a post mortem takes place. NHS Coventry has taken the proactive step to quarantine the batch of vaccine being used as a precautionary measure only and have informed the regulatory authority. We are conducting an urgent and full investigation into the events surrounding this tragedy.”

For a link to the Blue Coat School website, please click here

For more information on the HPV Vaccine, please click here

To contact the press office call Simon Dudman, Head of Communications and Engagement, or Suman Ghaiwal, Communications Officer, on 024 7624 6076/6017 or for urgent out of hours enquiries call 07787 353 239 (not a 24-hour service).

All NHS press statememts relating to the death of Natalie Morton will be uploaded to this site.