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Brain tumour boy dies after being shunted between three hospitals
Sophie Goodchild, Health Editor25.11.09
A 10-year-old boy suffering a burst brain tumour died after being taken to three hospitals and waiting for seven hours for an ambulance transfer.
The parents of Kieran Howard were left watching helplessly amid errors by NHS staff. An inquest today was due to hear how doctors initially failed to realise Kieran was fatally ill. There was a seven-hour delay transferring him from Pembury Hospital in Kent to St Thomas' Hospital in London because ambulance crews were “too busy”.
Medical staff then searched desperately for a neurosurgical unit which could operate. He was finally taken to King's College Hospital, but never regained consciousness, dying on 2 April last year. In all, it took 15 hours for him to receive specialist treatment.
His parents Jason and Vanessa, from Fordcombe near Tunbridge Wells, are now calling for an overhaul in the way hospitals respond to brain injuries.
Richard Follis, from Shoosmiths lawyers, which is representing the family, said: “They know his life was probably beyond saving, but if his condition had been assessed more thoroughly and quickly he and they would not have been pushed from pillar to post. They probably would not be suffering as they are now.” The family say the diagnosis might have come quicker if Pembury had had a scanner. Since Kieran's death, children in the area have been taken to hospitals in Kent and Sussex which have equipment.
Mr Follis added: “One of [Mrs Howard's] greatest concerns is that during the complaints procedure she was made to feel Kieran's death was in some way her fault. It was suggested she failed to pass essential information to medical staff. This response to a bereaved family's desire to find out why their 10-year-old died has added insult to injury.”
On 29 March, Kieran woke at home complaining of a mild headache. His pain became so severe he began screaming and vomiting. Doctors believe his tumour burst when he sneezed shortly after waking up. Mrs Howard phoned the Association of Kent and Sussex Doctors on Call, which told her to get her son to hospital. She called an ambulance at 1.18pm and 10 minutes later one took him to Pembury Hospital, where doctors failed to spot a bleed in his brain.
The South Thames Retrieval Service which transfers children with acute illnesses between hospitals, was called to take Kieran for tests at a specialist centre. But its staff were “very busy” and could not move Kieran immediately.
At 10.10pm, seven hours after being called, the service took the boy to Evelina paediatric intensive care unit at St Thomas' Hospital, Lambeth. A scan revealed he had raised internal pressure on his brain, and doctors tried to find a hospital that could operate. At 3.30am, an ambulance took Kieran to King's College Hospital, Denmark Hill — a journey that took half an hour. Staff there tried to relieve pressure on his brain but the damage to Kieran's brain was irreparable.
Pembury hospital is part of Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS trust. A spokesman said it would not comment until the inquest had been completed.The retrieval service acted on information provided by Pembury Hospital and prioritised Kieran's case accordingly.
The patient transfer service in the South-East is run by Evelina children's hospital, part of Guys and St Thomas' NHS Foundation trust, which said: We would like to pass on our deepest condolences to the family. It's crucial we learn all possible lessons from this to minimise the risk of similar events.'
Reader views (4)
After receiving her last vaccine in 1998 my daughter Vanessa (then age 2 years) became ill with bacterial pneumonia. We took her from the Kent& Sussex Hospital to Pembury waiting far too long for a case like ours. As a mother I could sense that Vanessa was seriously ill and was send home with the diagnose that she was going to be ok, without any further information. Her temperature was constant at 41 and nothing could bring her fever down. Her condition deteriorated so much that - a few days later - I went to see our GP, who said she only had a cold. In my desperation I took the plane the next day and flew to Germany (this is where I come from) to finally see a consultant, diagnosing bacterial pneumonia, treating her instantly. Had I not had that option, Vanessa would have died. To this day I could never understand why people first have to see a GP and go from one referral to the next. Why is it not possible in England to go to a specialist straight away who is equipped with all the essential technology, only referring in emergency cases straight away. That saves precious time,taking away a lot of work from the overworked hospitals? We were lucky, we could escape but I always feel sorry for people who cant, like Kierans parents. During that very terrifying time I remember being ridiculed by friends, thinking I was a histerycal mother.
- Patrizia Sergeant, Crowborough
A gorgeous boy and such a sad loss. I used to work with Vanessa and Jason years ago and know they and the rest of Kieran's family are in so many of their former colleagues thoughts at the moment. I hope you find the answers you need to move forward as best you all can.
- Karen Russell, Crowborough, East Sussex
I find it inconceivable that Mrs Howard was made to feel that her son's death was in anyway her fault - it is disgraceful that the NHS would ty to cover what seems, from your report, to be significant failings in the care provided coupled with the lack of diagnosis. This must surely be down to the inexperience of the doctors on call. In rural areas we are seriously disadvantaged when it comes to acute medical problems and I applaud Mr and Mrs Howard for being brave enough to bring these issues to public attention. The loss of a child causes intense grief and the Howard family need support - I wish them well and send them my sincere sympathies.
- Ruth Alexander, Edenbridge, Kent, UK
My gorgeous nephew, who is missed very dearly. Just glad things are finally being sorted out so the rest of us can at least try and deal with it as best as possible.
- Toby Howard, Tunbridge Wells, Kent
