Boy, 10, died from avoidable asthma attack after NHS failures

Home » News & Knowledge » Boy, 10, died from avoidable asthma attack after NHS failures, coroner rules

A 10-year-old boy who died from an asthma attack did so “as a consequence of failures by healthcare professionals” it has been concluded.

William Gray died at Southend University Hospital in 2021 after his mother claimed his asthma ‘was not taken seriously.’

Following a two-week inquest, Coroner Sonia Hayes concluded that “neglect” contributed to his death.

Avoidable asthma attack

Ms. Hayes said:

“There were multiple failures to escalate and treat William’s very poorly controlled asthma by healthcare professionals that would and should have saved William’s life.”

The inquest which took place at Essex coroner’s court in Chelmsford heard how William’s asthma was ‘generally well-controlled’ and he had not been admitted to the hospital for any attacks since before October 2020. But on October 27 that year, William’s mother Christine Hui was forced to give her son CPR because he was struggling to breathe. He was also admitted to the hospital.

However, the incident was recorded as a “severe asthma attack” rather than a respiratory attack, the inquest heard.

William’s asthma worsened, and in spring 2021 Ms. Hui spoke to his GP, asthma nurse and the GP practice nurse a few weeks before he died. However, the coroner was told that his medication was not changed and he was not referred for further care.

According to reports, Ms. Hui slept in the same bed as her son up until May 29, 2021, when he suffered from another attack and died.

Ms. Hayes’s full conclusion noted:

“William Gray died as a consequence of failures by healthcare professionals to recognise the severity and frequency of his asthma symptomatology and the consequential risk to his life that was obvious.

“William’s death was contributed to by neglect. William’s death was avoidable.”

Ms. Hayes said there should have been more “medical curiosity” in his case and added: “Record keeping was minimal, contact was minimal and William’s voice was nowhere to be heard, and he was old enough to be involved.”

Ms. Hui said in a statement that her son dreamt of being a doctor, and he was a “cheeky” and “clever boy”. He died from a cardio respiratory arrest due to acute and severe asthma.

An EPUT spokesperson said:

“We continue to work with our partners across the health and care system to ensure children with complex needs and their families receive the best possible care and support.

“We will be reviewing and acting on the coroner’s findings.”

The Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust said:

[It was] “Committed to learning from this terrible loss”.

Diane Sarkar, Chief Nursing and Quality Officer at the Trust, said:

“Since his death in 2021 we have brought in numerous changes to improve patient care.”

Boy, 10, died from avoidable asthma attack after NHS failures, coroner rules

A 10-year-old boy who died from an asthma attack did so “as a consequence of failures by healthcare professionals” it has been concluded.

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