A young student described as “very talented” and undergoing cancer treatment at the Christie hospital passed away from sepsis believed to have been caused by inadequate hand hygiene practices at the facility, according to a coroner’s report.
Joshua Abbott-Littler, hailing from Wigan, was diagnosed with a rare and severe type of leukaemia on June 8 of the previous year. The 20-year-old sought medical attention at Royal Albert Edward Infirmary in his hometown after experiencing flu-like symptoms, escalating chest pains, sore throat, fatigue, and spontaneous bruising.
During an inquest at Manchester Coroners’ Court, it was disclosed that he succumbed on June 26, 2025, at the Christie hospital due to an infection contracted from inadequate hand hygiene protocols leading to cross-contamination on the ward.
Coroner Andrew Bridgman learned about Joshua’s academic pursuits and his passion for music, live events, and festivals. Despite his prior health challenges, which included a Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis in 2023, he had shown remarkable progress and was declared in remission at The Christie in May 2024. Tragically, he was diagnosed with treatment-induced acute myeloid leukaemia shortly after.
Following readmission to The Christie, Joshua passed away on June 26 from multiple organ failure caused by sepsis resulting from a bacterial infection acquired through cross-contamination from another patient in the same ward. His death was attributed to a combination of factors, excluding his previous Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis.
In the days leading to his demise, Joshua’s health rapidly deteriorated, culminating in multiple organ failure. Medical assessments revealed severe heart impairment, prompting his transfer to the critical care unit at The Christie on June 24. Specialized antibiotics were administered the next day after he tested positive for CPE.
A posthumous report revealed that genetic testing confirmed the bacteria strain responsible for Joshua’s critical condition matched that of another patient on the ward, indicating cross-contamination. The infection originated in Joshua’s bloodstream, highlighting the importance of stringent infection control measures such as the aseptic non-touch technique (ANTT).
The report highlighted the likelihood of poor adherence to hand hygiene and control measures as the primary cause of the infection entering Joshua’s bloodstream. The coroner acknowledged the lapses in infection control at The Christie, emphasizing the need for improved protocols to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Despite initial attributions to his past cancer treatments, the coroner emphasized that Joshua’s death was ultimately a result of inadequate adherence to antiseptic techniques. The Christie expressed condolences to Joshua’s family and outlined enhanced infection prevention measures to ensure patient safety going forward.
In memory of Joshua, his family organized a fundraising event for Young Lives vs Cancer, supporting children battling cancer and their families.