Parents seek judicial review over disabled son's death
Grieving parents who allege their disabled son died prematurely due to inadequate hospital care say they want to push for a judicial review after a coroner ruled the death was of natural causes.Jay and Louise Patel, from Barnet, say they want to challenge the findings of an inquest at London Inner South Coroner's Court, which concluded their 30-year-old son, Balram, died from complications linked to heart failure and terminal liver cancer."There was nothing natural about the way my son died," said Mr Patel, calling the verdict a "whitewash".Coroner Julian Morris acknowledged the family's concerns but found the medical staff acted reasonably.
But Mr Patel said Balram died "because of a series of clear, documented, and avoidable clinical failures."
Balram was born without the right side of his heart and had multiple disabilities.He had been under the care of Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust throughout his life.In August 2023, he was discharged from hospital with oral diuretics (a medication that helps the body get rid of excess fluid) instead of what his parents claim should have been intravenous treatment.A day before his death, Balram was visited at home by the palliative care team and readmitted to hospital with a raised infection rate and a build-up of fluids, where he was transferred to a ward before collapsing.He received CPR for 30 minutes before he was pronounced dead.
Mr and Mrs Patel said they were unaware their son's heart condition was terminal, believing his hospital discharge was part of his palliative care plan for liver cancer. In his verdict, the coroner criticised the hospital for its communication, finding that consultants had failed to ensure Mr and Mrs Patel knew the extent of their son's illness.
Judicial ReviewsJudicial reviews are a challenge to the way in which a decision has been made, rather than the rights and wrongs of the conclusion reached.They are not concerned with the conclusions of that process and whether those were right, as long as the right procedures have been followed. The court will not substitute what it thinks is the 'correct' decision.This may mean that the public body will be able to make the same decision again, so long as it does so in a lawful way.
Mrs Patel said it felt like the doctors were "playing God"."The doctors decided when he should die. They didn't give him a last chance, even if it was a half an hour or a day more. "He should have been given a chance. He was a fighter all his life."A spokesperson for Guy's and St Thomas's NHS Foundation Trust said: "Balram was terminally ill and had been under our care throughout his life, during which our teams did everything they reasonably could for him."We again extend our deepest sympathies to Balram's family."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
29 minutes ago
- The Sun
Contaminated perfume sold at Superdrug urgently recalled in UK over ‘serious health risk' after harmful chemical found
SUPERDRUG has issued an urgent recall for a contaminated perfume as another major retailer announced it was pulling the product. The item has been marked as a "serious" chemical risk, with customers being warned against using it. 2 Several varieties of Soulcal & Co 236ml body mist sprays have been removed from shelves at Superdrug. A notice on the health and beauty retailer's website explains that the item is no longer available. The Chinese-made perfumes have also been removed by popular chain Farmfoods over health concerns. Affected products include Soulcal Body Mist Raspberry & Lotus Blossom, Mango & Passion Fruit, Apple & Waterlily, Coco Plum & Jacaranda and Beach Rose & Coconut Water. The Office for Product Safety and Standards confirmed that the sprays contain a substance that is banned in Europe. Shoppers have been advised to stop using the items immediately and return them to stores for a full refund. A safety notice read: "The product presents a serious chemical risk as it contains butylphenyl methylpropional, which is prohibited in cosmetic products. "BMHCA may harm the reproductive system, may harm the health of the unborn child, and may cause skin sensitisation. "The products have been recalled from end users by the manufacturer. "Affected products have been withdrawn from sale by Farmfoods. "Owners of any of the affected products should stop using it immediately and return the product to the seller they purchased from for a full refund." It comes after TK Maxx recalled a perfume over similar fears. The Byblos Blu Happy Hour Eau De Toilette was sold in the department store between January and March this year, but has now been removed from shelves. Customers were urged to stop using the item to avoid unpleasant side affects. Recent product recalls Tony's Chocolonely issued a warning to its customers, telling them not to eat the Dark Almond Sea Salt and Everything Bar. Elsewhere, Sainsbury's has issued a voluntary product recall for two air fryer models from electronics brand Tower. Customers are being urged to return the gadget for a full refund. And Lidl shoppers are being told not to eat one of its savoury snacks over fears it could contain salmonella. The discount supermarket has urgently recalled its Sol & Mar Chicharricos BBQ Pork Scratchings after the problem was found. Your product recall rights Chief consumer reporter James Flanders reveals all you need to know. Product recalls are an important means of protecting consumers from dangerous goods. As a general rule, if a recall involves a branded product, the manufacturer would usually have lead responsibility for the recall action. But it's often left up to supermarkets to notify customers when products could put them at risk. If you are concerned about the safety of a product you own, always check the manufacturer's website to see if a safety notice has been issued. When it comes to appliances, rather than just food items, the onus is usually on you - the customer - to register the appliance with the manufacturer as if you don't there is no way of contacting you to tell you about a fault. If you become aware that an item you own has been recalled or has any safety noticed issued against it, make sure you follow the instructions given to you by the manufacturer. They should usually provide you with more information and a contact number on its safety notice. In some cases, the manufacturer might ask you to return the item for a full refund or arrange for the faulty product to be collected. You should not be charged for any recall work - such as a repair, replacement or collection of the recalled item
Daily Mail
31 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Amanda Owen breaks down in tears revealing 'time-critical medical emergency' on farm - with teenage son rushed to hospital in air ambulance fighting for his life
Amanda Owen broke down in tears as she revealed the 'time-critical medical emergency' on their family farm which saw her teenage son rushed to hospital in an air ambulance. The most recent episode of Reuben Owen: Life in the Dales, which aired on Tuesday night on Channel 5, saw shepherdess Amanda and her son Miles visit The Great North Air Ambulance Service. The pair reunited with the emergency services because back in 2022 Miles was airlifted to hospital after developing diabetic ketocaidosis (DKA) - a serious complication of diabetes that occurs when your body produces high levels of blood acids called ketones. After spotting the helicopter in the sky, Amanda asked Miles: 'You don't remember any of it?' To which Miles shook his head and told his mum: 'No.' 'It's bringing it all back for me even though it's not you!' Amanda told her son. And just as the chopper landed, it all got too much for Amanda as she wiped away the tears from her face. Amanda said: 'I'm not crying! I'm not crying!' The mother and son duo were then reunited with Dr Rachel and critical care paramedic Mike, who helped Miles on the day and flew to Ravenseat Farm when it happened. Amanda said: 'It's been a while hasn't it? Two years. 'Seeing you landing like that, it sort of brought it all back to me, really. Because, like I said, the last time I saw that land it was just like... you know.' Rachel asked Miles how he was getting on, to which he replied: 'Good, I was saying to mum, I can't remember it at all. I was so out of it.' Dr Rachel told him: 'You look a lot better than the last time we saw you!' What is diabetic ketoacidosis? Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a serious complication of diabetes that occurs when your body produces high levels of blood acids called ketones. DKA was first described in 1886 and, until the introduction of insulin therapy in the 1920s, it was almost universally fatal. Today the risk of death with adequate and timely treatment is currently around one to four per cent. Symptoms of a DKA episode include nausea and vomiting, pronounced thirst, excessive urine production and abdominal pain. According to figures just four per cent of people with type 1 diabetes develop DKA each year. Earlier on in the episode they replayed the call that Amanda and former husband Clive, 70, to the emergency services. Recalling what happened, Miles said: 'I felt awful all day. 'I didn't know what was up with me. 'Maybe it was something I was eating, maybe it was a bug, something like that, and then I was sick, I didn't know what was going on. 'I just thought Everyone is suck now and again. It's one of those things. 'Went to bed with no tea...' Amanda asked if he remembered waking up and he said: 'Vaguely.' Clive admitted it was 'one of the worst days of my life'. Speaking about what happened ahead of the episode, Amanda said on Instagram: 'Tonight's episode of Reuben Owen: Life in the Dales is a challenging one. 'It has taken until now to share what happened in December 2022 when there was a big medical emergency on the farm. 'Miles wanted to share what happened to him to hopefully raise awareness of Type 1 diabetes and Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) which is a potentially life-threatening acute complication. 'Do tune in at 8pm on Channel 5 for an uplifting glimpse of how in difficult circumstances and locations individuals can change the narrative of a story and save lives.' Many rushed to Instagram to share their love and support after Miles opened up about what happened in 2022 Many rushed to the comments section to share the love. 'This is so brave and honest of Miles to share this on tv. I am diabetic too and sometimes I think diabetes is so misunderstood especially by people who don't suffer from it nor have anyone close to them with it.' 'well done Miles for sharing. I don't think Diabetes is taken as seriously as it should be x.' 'It's great to see Miles share this and thank you all, it's a hideously worrying event that for most of us is thankfully infrequent, but no less worrying when this happens.' 'The Air Ambulance is such an important part of rural communities.' 'Thank you for sharing. Bless you all, such a beautiful family!!!! Sending lots of love ❤️ xx.' Amanda and ex Clive are not just parents to Miles. The former couple, who split in 2022 after 22 years of marriage, are parents to nine kids. They are also proud parents to Raven, 23, Reuben, 21, Edith, 16, Violet, 14, Sidney, 13, Annas, 11, Clemmy, nine, and Nancy, eight. The family shot to fame on Our Yorkshire Farm back on Channel 4, which aired between 2018 and 2022. Spin-off Our Farm Next Door landed on our screens last year and has already had two series. Reuben landed his own programme started in 2024.
The Independent
36 minutes ago
- The Independent
Regrettable that BMA let slip medics are excited for new strikes
Health Secretary Wes Streeting has said it is 'regrettable' the British Medical Association (BMA) 'let slip' that resident doctors are feeling excited by the prospect of more strikes. He told the PA news agency that union members 'could be round the table working together' rather than on picket lines. Doctors in training, formerly known as junior doctors, are currently being balloted on whether or not to stage further walkouts, with the vote closing on July 7. Speaking at the BMA's annual representative meeting in Liverpool on Tuesday, Dr Ross Nieuwoudt, co-chair of the union's resident doctors committee, suggested that 'people are excited to go again'. He then corrected this to 'energised' when pressed. He said: 'Excited as in energised. Not excited as in looking forward to it.' Mr Streeting told PA: 'I don't think the resident doctors on the front line are excited by the prospect of strike action. 'I don't think that people want to be out on picket lines. 'And I think it's regrettable that the BMA to be honest let slip that they're feeling excited.' Previous strikes by resident doctors have taken place 11 times since 2022, leading to almost 1.5 million appointments being cancelled or rescheduled. Members of the BMA voted to accept a Government pay deal worth 22.3% on average over two years last September. The Government also committed to working with the union to streamline how resident doctors report any additional hours they work. Dr Nieuwoudt said on Tuesday that doctors in training 'want to push for change', but 'their cries have fallen on deaf ears'. He said that while Mr Streeting gave medics 'a good deal that could stop the strike action at the time', which included promises about a 'genuine pathway' towards restoring pay, this has not happened. Mr Streeting told PA: 'I just remind the BMA that they've got in me, someone who not only wants to work with them, has already worked with them to deliver a 28.9% pay rise for resident doctors for the last three years, and shares their anger about the experiences of frontline resident doctors in terms of how their treated at work. 'Their placements, their rotations, their ability to take time off, the lack of hot food facilities overnight. 'So rather than be out on the picket line, we could be round the table working together to sort this out and to and to improve the NHS. And that's what I want us to do together.' The co-chairs of the BMA's resident doctors committee, Dr Melissa Ryan and Dr Nieuwoudt, said in a statement: 'The Health Secretary has been refusing to meet with us since he announced this year's disappointing pay award, so it's good to hear that he would now like to get round the table. 'We'll be expecting to start negotiations on July 8th, when our ballot will have closed and there will be no excuse not to meet.'
