Sepsis: Hospital apologise after failings led to death of 4-year-old

On 9th April 2017, Kessie Thomas was taken to hospital after suffering convulsions, a high temperature and high heart rate. However, hospital staff sent her home after advising Kessie’s mother, Marie, to give her Calpol and ibuprofen.

When her condition did not improve over the next twenty four hours, Kessie was taken back to hospital where she suffered a cardiac arrest caused by septicaemia. Following this, Kessie was moved to Evelina Children’s Hospital in London where she was to receive specialist care, but tragically died a few hours later after suffering severe brain damage.

Legal action was taken against Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust and the trust admitted that ‘staff failed to follow established guidelines that would have identified sepsis as a potential diagnosis’.

Following Kessie’s death, the trust has carried out a serious incident investigation which has resulted in plans to increase training for medical staff in A&E and paediatrics.

Kessie’s mother said: "Nothing can compare to the death of a child. We have been left devastated by Kessie’s death and it is impossible to imagine how we will ever move on from what has happened.

"There is every reason to believe that if Kessie had been kept in hospital for observations overnight she would still be with us today. Her condition would have been monitored, and the medical staff would have been on hand to treat the sepsis much sooner.

"We want the Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust to share the lessons that they have learnt from their investigations with all trusts across the country so that no-one need suffer the way we have in the future."

Meanwhile, a statement from the trust said: “We acknowledge that we did not get it right for Kessie and have instituted several actions since to improve awareness, identification and treatment of sepsis. We would like to send again our condolences and apologies to Kessie’s parents.”

Gill Edwards, Partner and Clinical Negligence Solicitor here at Potter Rees Dolan, comments:

“The death of a child in any circumstances is agony, but the knowledge that it might have been prevented must add to that pain. Serious injury and death from sepsis are caused by the body’s reaction to the overwhelming infection and so early detection and treatment of sepsis is absolutely vital. The guidelines are in place to help staff to identify sepsis sooner and it is desperately sad that the staff failed to follow them when caring for Kessie.”

Read how Gill helped secure over £4 million in compensation for a man left paraplegic following a delay in surgery

Gill is a Partner within our Clinical Negligence team here at Potter Rees Dolan. Should you have any questions about aspects of this article or clinical negligence issues, please do not hesitate to call our expert solicitors on 0800 027 2557. Alternatively, contact Gill directly here.