A distressed Newcastle doctor has told an inquest a Jehovah's Witness woman preferred to die rather than accept a blood transfusion that could have saved her life.
Heather Winchester died in September 2019 after complications with a hysterectomy operation at Maitland Hospital.
She was transferred to Newcastle's John Hunter Hospital where she bled to death.
Gynaecologist Adrienne Searle told the court on Thursday that Mrs Winchester was very well aware of the gravity of the situation as she was losing blood and she did not want packed red blood cells.
Dr Searle said Mrs Winchester, 75, was lucid and clear.
"Heather Winchester did not want packed red blood cells. She would prefer to die rather than have them," the doctor said.
"It was a very high-risk situation and I wanted to be very clear with her about what she actually wanted.
"I have never in my career counselled anyone so strongly about their risk of death."
"It was a very real possibility she would die if she did not accept those blood products."
Mrs Winchester refused the blood transfusion on religious grounds.
Calls to family
The doctor said as the situation deteriorated she called family members to discuss Mrs Winchester's condition.
"I had to do one of those awful phone calls in the middle of the night to call the husband and the daughter to discuss the situation."
The family's barrister Belinda Epstein asked for details about the phone calls.
"Do you remember speaking with Mrs MacIntyre (the daughter) and her saying to you she was sure if she was there she would change her mind," the barrister said.
"I don't remember her saying I am sure she could change her mother's mind," Dr Searle replied.
"I'm sure I would have said, 'We have got to get you here now,' if I heard that."
After the phone calls, Mrs Winchester's condition worsened and she died.
Dr Searle fought back tears when she said the case haunted her.
"This has been very distressing. I have had sleepless nights," she said.
Deputy State Coroner David O'Neil sought to clarify what the doctor did and said.
"So you told her if she did not have a transfusion she would die?," Mr O'Neill asked.
The doctor said, 'yes'.
The inquest before Deputy State Coroner David O'Neil continues.
