Launch of fresh Inquest after investigation into death of three-year-old boy
- Dec 15, 2015
- EmmaArnold
Calls for a new Inquest have been made after an independent report finds a 'closed culture within the NHS'.
Three-year-old Jonnie Meek died at Stafford Hospital in 2014 while being fed via his stomach as he had a rare genetic condition.
His parents believed their son suffered an allergic reaction to a type of milk he had been given which had made him in on previous occasions.
However, the post-mortem and coroner's Inquest ruled Jonnie's death was caused by pneumonia.
Accusations were made that the hospital had attempted to cover up their failings by falsifying witness statements and medical history records in order to shift the blame.
Dr Martin Farrier, who carried out the review, believes the parents' allegations to be most likely and has therefore called for a new Inquest.
Hannah Bottomley, Solicitor in clinical negligence at PotterReesDolan, said:
Here at PotterReesDolan we have long campaigned for the duty of candour, a requirement for medical professionals and organisations, to be open and honest about mistakes to enable those who have suffered harm to understand what went wrong and to enable lessons to be learnt. It is therefore deeply concerning to read that despite this duty becoming law earlier this year, even other professionals are not being treated in the way in which is expected.
Dr Farrier claims the conclusion of pneumonia is one of convenience as this means the professionals involved are not to blame. He believes the family were not treated properly by the hospital and their response to the family was 'poor'.
Miss Bottomley added:
I was deeply saddened although not entirely surprised to read the recent criticism facing the NHS, and particularly the now dissolved Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust, following an independent review in the death of a 3 year old boy last November, suggesting that there was a culture of closed doors facing not only his parents but also the professionals called to investigate.
Dr Farrier, as a result of his investigations, has also recommended that a new Inquest into Jonnie’s death be opened to look again at the cause of death, initially reported as pneumonia, but suspected by his parents to be linked to a known allergy to a certain type of feed given to him just 2 hours before his death. I can only pass on our heartfelt condolences to Jonnie Meek’s parents for their tragic loss which I am sure, would have been made infinitely worse by the lack of openness on the part of the Trust.