She then developed sepsis and sadly died. The coroner today confirmed there was no doubt that neglect, in terms of the medical treatment she should have received played a major part in Freya’s untimely death.
Freya attended hospital in respiratory distress on 21st November 2012 where she should have received basic but nonetheless urgent medical attention but sadly never did. Today’s inquest made it clear that one doctor in particular grossly failed Freya, her family and indeed her own colleagues by not recognising the severity of the child’s condition, which included signs of septic shock, until she spoke to an on-call consultant.
The Inquest heard evidence that in hindsight, the same doctor would have given intravenous antibiotics and a fluid bolus, procedures which medical experts confirmed would have save Freya’s life.
The case sadly highlights the gross failings in Freya’s care and that the tragedy of her death was avoidable had appropriate and urgent steps been undertaken. The case centred on inadequate communication; the failure to recognise an obvious and escalating high risk condition and most importantly, the taking of personal responsibility to ensure appropriate treatment and a specialist referral for a very sick child.
Family members are now relieved and pleased that the Coroner’s Inquiry has determined what really happened to Freya on 21st and 22nd November 2012. The Coroner, for the first time in his court confirmed that he would be writing to the General Medical Council (GMC) recommending the suspension of the doctor in question pending a formal investigation.
Our team will now consider next steps with Freya’s family in respect of any formal action they may wish to take against Kingston Hospital NHS Trust.
Click here to see further media coverage on the case.
If you’d like to discuss any matter arising from the above, please contact Rankeshwar Batta on 0121 214 3578, rankeshwar.batta@anthonycollins.com or Ann Houghton on 0121 212 7478, ann.houghton@anthonycollins.com.
For part 3 in this series of short podcasts, Chris Lloyd-Smith interviews senior associate Madhur Sharma on how she has been coping during these unprecedented times.
Last week, the NHF published its final version of its new Code of Governance and made some important changes from the previous draft that will impact on those housing associations looking to adopt it.
As the end of 2020 beckons, we take a look at what progress the Sterling market has made in its preparations for the end of the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) on 31 December 2021.
Finally, there is a glimmer of hope that perhaps the Covid-19 pandemic could be reaching its end.
For part 2 in this series of short podcasts, Chris Lloyd-Smith interviews senior associate Lisa Whitehouse on how she has been coping during these unprecedented times.
Delayed since Spring 2020 as the Government tackled the Covid-19 crisis, Tuesday 17 November saw the publication of the Social Housing White Paper, setting out the future regulation of the sector
In this ebriefing, we examine how the duty holder regime will apply to social housing providers with existing HRRBs in their housing stock.
Following Katherine's "heads up" last week, the Government has now confirmed that for claim periods post 1 December, employers will not be able to claim for employees who are serving their notice
For part 1 in this series of short podcasts, Chris Lloyd-Smith interviews solicitor Puja Desai on how she has been coping during these unprecedented times.
Over 100 trainees and future trainees from Birmingham joined the BTSS for a webinar to address concerns around training remotely and qualifying during a possible recession.
To receive invitations to our events, as well as information and articles on legal issues and sector developments that are of interest to you, please sign up to Newsroom.