Close X
Friday, November 29, 2024
ADVT 
National

Indian-Origin Child, 3, Died In UK, Parents Allege Medical Negligence

Darpan News Desk IANS, 23 Feb, 2018 06:36 PM
    Parents of a three-year-old Indian-origin boy, who died in a UK hospital a few years ago, told an inquest into his death today that they feel "really let down" by the medical staff that was treating their son.
     
     
    The boy died at Leicester Royal Infirmary in the city of Leicester in November 2015 after being taken to the hospital for vomiting and diarrhoea.
     
     
    His mother, 33-year-old Bhavini Saujani, told an inquest at Leicester Coroners Court that she felt the hospital staff ignored her and husband Shalin Saujani's growing concerns over their son's condition, who suffered from Down's Syndrome.
     
     
    "I just felt that we weren't being listened to when we were raising concerns about his low oxygen saturation levels. We were being told that the machines weren't picking it up, it was explained away as a machine error," she told the hearing.
     
     
    The mother recounted her son's final moments when she shouted for help as his heart stopped and doctors were unable to resuscitate him, Leicester Mercury reports.
     
     
    "Someone needs to take accountability and responsibility for what's happened," she said.
     
     
    The boy's father also gave evidence to the inquest, which concluded today.
     
     
    "(He) was my best mate, I called him my little buddy. We planned to do so much together," the 35-year-old said.
     
     
    Their son had a weakened immune system and was more vulnerable to infections due to his condition.
     
     
    Earlier in the week, the inquest was told the boy should have been moved to intensive care earlier and the head of paediatric services at the hospital in Leicester, doctor Samantha Jones, apologised for his death.
     
     
    "(He) should have moved through the departments within the hour and preferably sooner if possible. I just want to say we are as a department terribly, terribly sorry," she said.
     
     
    Other doctors who treated the boy at the children's intensive care unit of the hospital Manish Arora and Nehal Thanawala also gave their evidence to the inquest hearing.
     
     
    While Mr Arora told the court that he did not think the boy was critically ill, Ms Thanawala said she had been "very concerned" about him.
     
     
    Expert witness Simon Nadel from St. Marys Hospital in London said the original diagnosis of vomiting caused by viral gastroenteritis "clearly in retrospect was not correct".
     
     
    "There was a failure of communication between the clinical teams looking after the boy, leading to a lack of ongoing medical involvement," he said.
     
     
    At the end of the inquest, Coroner Lydia Brown ruled that the boy's death was caused by "natural causes". However, the family may consider legal action over medical negligence.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Leading Legal Minds In B.C. Seek Anti-SLAPP Legislation To Halt Abusive Lawsuits

      The B.C. Civil Liberties Association has sent an open letter to Attorney General David Eby urging him to bring in effective legislation against what are known as strategic lawsuits against public participation, or SLAPP.

    Leading Legal Minds In B.C. Seek Anti-SLAPP Legislation To Halt Abusive Lawsuits

    Avalanche Hazard In B.C. Closes Highways And Sets Off Special Warning

    Several highways were closed for much for the day Thursday because of the high avalanche threat above the route, including Highway 1 from Revelstoke to Golden.

    Avalanche Hazard In B.C. Closes Highways And Sets Off Special Warning

    Two Arrested Following Trans Mountain Pipeline Protest In Coquitlam, B.C.

    RCMP say nine people were peacefully protesting Thursday but police were called in when the protesters began blocking equipment and highway traffic.

    Two Arrested Following Trans Mountain Pipeline Protest In Coquitlam, B.C.

    Single Racer Braves Freezing Temperatures To Finish Yukon Ultra-Marathon

    Single Racer Braves Freezing Temperatures To Finish Yukon Ultra-Marathon
    The cold was so persistent that about seven contestants had to drop out to seek medical attention for frostbite, he added.

    Single Racer Braves Freezing Temperatures To Finish Yukon Ultra-Marathon

    Newfoundland Police Investigate Sudden Death Of Teen Amid Reports Of Bullying

    GANDER, N.L. — Police are investigating the sudden death of a 14-year-old Newfoundland girl, saying they are aware of social media allegations in the case but don't yet know what precipitated the death.

    Newfoundland Police Investigate Sudden Death Of Teen Amid Reports Of Bullying

    B.C. Eliminates Prescription Deductibles For People Earning Under $30,000

    B.C. Eliminates Prescription Deductibles For People Earning Under $30,000
    British Columbia has announced plans to eliminate or reduce prescription-drug deductibles for low-income earners.

    B.C. Eliminates Prescription Deductibles For People Earning Under $30,000