Derbyshire Teen’s Death Could Have Been Prevented, Jury Finds
A Derbyshire teenager, Callum, likely would have survived a serious infection had his antibiotics not been prematurely withdrawn, a jury concluded.The finding came after an inquest into the February 2014 death of the teen, who succumbed to complications following an initial hospital discharge.
Callum was initially treated with antibiotics,but the medication was stopped and he was discharged. His condition rapidly worsened at home, prompting his father to contact the hospital again. He was initially offered an emergency appointment for the following day, but Callum’s condition deteriorated overnight, and he collapsed on November 22nd, requiring emergency admission to Chesterfield Hospital.
Jurors steadfast that medical staff missed further opportunities to administer life-saving antibiotics upon his readmission. Callum was subsequently transferred to Sheffield Children’s hospital, where he remained for three months before his death.
Senior Coroner for Derbyshire, Peter Nieto, stated Callum’s medical cause of death was meningitis encephalitis, hydrocephalus, and severe hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy – brain damage resulting from inflammation and a build-up of fluid caused by infection. The inquest highlights critical failures in callum’s care and raises serious questions about treatment protocols.
