Toddler died after medics ‘ignored’ sepsis signs

Toddler died after medics ‘ignored’ sepsis signs and told his worried parents: ‘We’re the professionals. We know what we’re doing’, inquest hears

• Jack Sands, from Goole, East Yorkshire, died days before his second birthday
• Was due to be discharged following surgery when his condition deteriorated
• The toddler’s parents had warned doctors after researching the symptoms 

By Alex Ward For The Daily Mail

Published: 23:00 GMT, 11 December 2019 | Updated: 23:37 GMT, 11 December 2019

The parents of a boy who died days before his second birthday were ignored by hospital staff when they raised concerns he had sepsis, an inquest heard.

Jack Sands was due to be discharged following surgery on his skull when his condition deteriorated and he developed a rash.

But when parents Gemma and John warned doctors after researching the symptoms of sepsis online, they were told: ‘We’re the professionals. We know what we’re doing.’

Jack Sands, from Goole, East Yorkshire, was due to be discharged following surgery on his skull when his condition deteriorated and he died days before his second birthday

Jack, from Goole, East Yorkshire, had undergone surgery at Leeds General Infirmary for craniosynostosis – which causes problems with skull growth – but developed meningitis and sepsis afterwards. 

Yesterday Wakefield Coroner’s Court heard the surgery on his skull had gone according to plan and the young boy was due to be discharged. He then became ill and suffered from diarrhoea and sickness.

Mrs Sands, 31, said her son’s skin had become pale and mottled.

‘My dad was telling the nurses about this, but nobody listened,’ she told the hearing.

The family searched online for the symptoms of sepsis and raised their concerns with medical staff.

Jack died on July 17 last year – just a few days before his second birthday. Brain surgeon Paul Chumas told the inquest: ‘I hope one of the lessons learned is that we should listen to parents because they are the specialists in the care of their children.’

Jack’s parents Gemma and John warned doctors after researching the symptoms of sepsis online

The toddler underwent surgery at Leeds General Infirmary for craniosynostosis – which causes problems with skull growth – but developed meningitis and sepsis 

Senior ward sister Julie Cooper said that, following Jack’s death, staff on her ward had been trained to spot the signs of sepsis.

The condition is an over-reaction of the immune system, which is usually triggered by a more minor infection and can cause the body’s organs to shut down.

The Mail started its End The Sepsis Scandal campaign in 2016 to raise awareness of symptoms among patients and staff, in an attempt to reduce the number of missed cases.

Those who have any sepsis symptoms – such as rapid breathing, high heart rate, confusion, a rash or ashen appearance – should immediately be seen by a senior doctor, who has been qualified for at least four years, or an advanced nurse practitioner.

They should be given antibiotics within an hour, and high-risk patients given intravenous fluids.

The inquest continues.

 

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