Substandard care was given to acclaimed hip-hop artist MF Doom, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust has admitted.
The London-born musician, christened Dumile Daniel Thompson but recognised by his artistic moniker and signature mask, passed away on October 31, 2020, at St James’s Hospital in Leeds. A Wakefield inquest told how a fatal lack of oxygen to the brain, triggered by an adverse reaction to prescribed medication, precipitated his death.
READ MORE: The Mask of Genius – MF DOOM: A Literary Review
Mr Thompson, popular for his intricate lyricism, was admitted to the hospital on October 23 after developing angioedema. This was triggered by Ramipril, a prescribed drug for managing high blood pressure.
St James’s Hospital in Leeds treated Mr Thompson
The 49-year-old artist, living in Leeds at the time, was battling several health issues, including hypertensive heart disease and kidney disease. His medical situation was further complicated when increased swelling resulted in a “respiratory collapse”.
Ms Wolstenholme noted that the angioedema was rare and that while Mr Thompson’s health initially seemed to improve, it then rapidly declined, leading to several cases of misplaced guidance about his prognosis. The hospital trust acknowledged the lack of any request for specialist intervention from immunology, a clear plan for routine check-ups, or the option of an alternative medication plan.
On the evening of Mr Thompson’s death, a significant increase in swelling caught a doctor’s attention in A&E, marking the first report of deterioration since his admission. According to Ms Wolstenholme, this should have prompted an urgent reassessment by a specialist, but such a review never came.
READ MORE: Pistolz & Pearlz review | Almost drunk karaoke from Kodak Black
Responding to these revelations, Dr Hamish McLure, chief medical officer at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, expressed his support for Ms Wolstenholme’s recommendations for improved national guidance and awareness. He extended his deepest condolences to Mr Thompson’s kin and admirers, acknowledging that the standard of care he received was deficient.
In the wake of MF Doom’s tragic departure, the lessons learned from this grave incident will be used as a case study across other areas of care, Dr McLure added.
READ MORE: Kung fu and Wu-Tang Clan
The impact of MF Doom’s death resonated through the music world, which mourns the loss of one of hip-hop’s most revered MCs. Mr Thompson’s career spanned over two decades, peppered by successful collaborations with artists such as DJ Danger Mouse, Ghostface Killah, The Avalanches, and Radiohead, in addition to six solo albums.
