Drunk Saltash Woman Dies After Dialysis Graft Incident

Gemma Louise Mills, a 34-year-old woman from Saltash, Cornwall, died after removing a dialysis graft while under the influence of alcohol and sedative drugs. Her body was found on her sofa during a welfare check in October 2024. An inquest held on May 28, 2025, in Truro concluded that she died from blood loss caused by complications related to kidney failure and substance use.

Gemma had lived a difficult life. She was diagnosed with lupus when she was a teenager. Lupus is a disease that causes the body’s immune system to attack its own organs. Over time, this led to kidney failure, forcing her to rely on dialysis to survive. Her medical history also included alcohol misuse, and she had been removed from the kidney transplant list due to her lifestyle.

Her family said that she lived an unstable life and moved frequently across the country. This made it hard for her to develop normal social skills or coping strategies. Her aunt shared that she only contacted family members when she needed money. At one point, Gemma became upset when her grandfather could not donate a kidney to her, not realizing that he only had one functioning kidney himself.

According to the inquest, she had a pattern of mixing alcohol with strong sedative medication. This created serious health risks. Doctors had warned her about the dangers of combining these substances, but she continued to drink up to a liter of whiskey each day. This behavior led to her removal from the transplant list and limited her medical treatment options.

Hospital records showed that Gemma had been aggressive and uncooperative with her medical team at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth. She had unpicked her dialysis graft on two previous occasions, requiring emergency care to save her life. Each time, doctors had to stitch her veins back together. These actions placed her at serious risk.

On the day of her death, emergency services were called for a welfare check after she had not been seen or heard from. They found her unresponsive on her sofa. A toxicology report showed that she had more than three times the legal limit of alcohol in her system. This, combined with the sedatives, led to a dangerous condition of excessive sedation and bleeding.

A postmortem examination confirmed that she had bled to death after once again removing her dialysis graft. Police investigated the case and found no signs of suicide or foul play. There was no evidence of third-party involvement or suspicious activity.

The coroner, Andrew Cox, delivered a narrative conclusion. He stated that her death was caused by blood loss following surgical complications linked to kidney failure brought on by lupus, with alcohol and sedative drugs contributing to the outcome. The medical report submitted at the inquest noted that Gemma had a long history of alcohol misuse. This had a major impact on her ability to receive proper medical care. Her actions and choices made treatment much harder for hospital staff.

Gemma’s story highlights the dangers of alcohol addiction, especially in people with serious health problems. Mixing alcohol and sedative drugs can lead to severe outcomes, including death. For patients undergoing dialysis, it is important to follow medical advice closely and avoid harmful substances. Dialysis is a life-saving process that requires careful handling and regular medical supervision. Any interference with the dialysis equipment can lead to fatal results.

This tragic case also points to the need for better mental health and addiction support for people living with chronic illnesses. Many patients with serious diseases face emotional struggles and may turn to alcohol or drugs to cope. Healthcare systems must work to provide more support and education to help these individuals avoid risky behavior.

Gemma’s death was preventable. With proper support and treatment, her life could have been saved. Her case serves as a reminder of the urgent need to address alcohol misuse in vulnerable patients. It also shows the importance of family support, medical trust, and mental health services in improving long-term health outcomes.