A YOUNG woman's death could have been avoided if her case had been escalated to senior medical staff sooner, an inquest heard.

Michelle Roach, formerly of Wallingford Close, Bracknell, died at the Royal Berkshire Hospital on January 31, 2014.

During a preliminary hearing at Reading Town Hall on Friday, Sarah Lambert, representing the family, described her passing as a 'maternal death'.

Ms Lambert explained the 32-year-old 'should have been saved' after junior doctors decided not to refer the case to senior staff at the Accident and Emergency department.

She said: "This is not about us having a hunch or a fishing expedition. What should have happened is more senior staff should have been made aware of it.

"She should have been saved. The nature of the failings are such that she was never seen or treated by the appropriately qualified doctors.

"She certainly would not have required additional intensive support and all three of our independent experts have seen evidence that supports our view.

"This is a very serious case and against this background it is essential that there is a full, frank and fearless investigation."

The court heard Mr Roach had not been entitled to view a report produced after his wife's death.

Ms Lambert said the death stemmed from 'systemic failures' and could amount to 'gross neglect'.

Independent expert evidence will now be gathered to assist with the investigation while witnesses are found.

Peter Bedford, senior coroner for Berkshire, said it was 'regrettable' to put the family through the process nearly four years after the death.

He also explained that a jury inquest would not be likely and the full hearing could take around a week to complete.

John Holmes, representing Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, added: "There is a real risk of this colliding with a civil claim and this will set back the inquest.

"I am not in agreement about the need for an expert on the standard of care. Going down that road will make these proceedings much more complicated."

The full inquest will be held at Reading Town Hall at a date to be confirmed.