‘We believe our beautiful baby could have been saved’: Mother whose daughter died in agonising pain after eating a button battery was turned away from hospital THREE times
- Isabella Rees died after a battery she swallowed went undetected by doctors
- Her parents took her to the Sunshine hospital, in Melbourne’s west four times
- During her fourth visit an x-ray revealed the button battery lodged inside her
- A coronial inquest into her death found medical staff provided ‘reasonable care’
A coroner has found medical staff provided ‘reasonable care’ to a baby girl who died after swallowing a button battery that went undetected for three hospital visits.
Isabella Rees died in 2015 after doctors sent the small girl home three times, believing her vomiting and fever was due to an infection.
But Isabella’s heartbroken mother Allison Rees believes the one-year-old could have been saved and has urged all parents to trust their instincts when it comes to their children’s health.
Isabella’s parents took her to Sunshine hospital, in Melbourne’s west, for a fourth time after they found her covered in blood.
Doctors ordered and x-ray, but by that point it was too later and the baby died shortly after.
Isabella Rees died in 2015 after doctors sent the small girl home three times, believing her vomiting and fever was due to an infection
The discovery came too late and Isabella, known as Bella, died soon after, following 19 days of ill-health, which included symptoms of vomiting, fever and black faeces.
Coroner Caitlin English delivered her inquest findings on Thursday, after hearing from witnesses, medical experts and the girl’s parents.
She found Isabella’s parents had raised concerns during multiple hospital visits that they suspected their daughter may have swallowed something. These concerns did not make it into medical documents.
But Ms English also agreed with the consensus of medical experts ‘medical care was reasonable’.
‘Mr and Mrs Rees’ concerns that Bella may have swallowed something were vague and not specific. An incident of swallowing, gagging or choking was not witnessed,’ she said.
‘I am not satisfied that the recording and noting of their concerns by hospital staff would have changed the course of Bella’s medical treatment.’
Speaking outside of court on Monday, Bella’s mother Allison Rees (pictured) thanked the coroner for her ‘sensitive and caring’ approach to the inquest in an emotional message outside court
She also noted the difficulty in diagnosing a battery ingestion, which can cause internal ulceration and bleeding, but can show general symptoms of fever and vomiting.
‘The non-specific nature of symptoms following ingestion makes diagnoses, especially in young children, particularly difficult.’
Bella’s mother Allison Rees thanked the coroner for her ‘sensitive and caring’ approach to the inquest in an emotional message outside court.
‘We believe it was important that Bella’s story be heard in the Coroners Court, not only for the sake of our family and friends, but also for the sake of every child and family in Victoria,’ she said.
‘We believe our beautiful Bella could’ve been saved, especially if early detection and intervention of a button battery ingestion was made.’
Mrs Rees, from Taylors Hill, had a message for all parents and carers, telling them while they might not be a doctor, they know their child ‘better than anybody’.
‘Make sure you voice your concerns. Make sure you are being heard. Because it just might save your child’s life,’ she said.