Latest news with #TheoTuikubulau
Telegraph
19 hours ago
- Health
- Telegraph
Hospital missed chances to stop boy's sepsis death
A hospital missed opportunities to treat a three-year-old boy who later died from sepsis, an inquest jury found. Theo Tuikubulau had been gradually getting sicker with a high temperature, flu-like symptoms and breathing difficulties, and was reluctant to eat or drink. The jury returned a narrative conclusion and highlighted three 'missed opportunities' when his mother had called the 72-hour open access line, the differences in 111 and 999 categorisations, and the allocation of ambulances following the emergency call as being contributory factors. 'From this, Theo died from an invasive Group Strep A infection contributed by missed opportunities to render earlier care and treatment,' they said. The four-day hearing heard Theo was first admitted to Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, on the afternoon of July 6 2022 with a suspected upper respiratory infection, but discharged a few hours later. Kayleigh Kenneford, his mother, explained that her son's condition had not been improving as she looked after him at home. 'I remembered that the doctor had said that Theo might get worse before he got better, so I was thinking that it was his body fighting the infection,' she told the inquest. 'I was watching my son deteriorate and just thinking that this was how things were supposed to happen, that he would get worse before he got better, but really, he was dying.' Ms Kenneford called the 72-hour, open access line listed in a discharge letter, but said she felt 'fobbed off' by a nurse. An hour later, at 11pm, she called 111 and after a further three calls, an ambulance arrived at their home near Plymouth shortly before 12.30am. Theo reached the hospital just after 1am, some 90 minutes after Ms Kenneford first called 111. He received emergency treatment but suffered cardiac arrest at 1.35am and died a short time later. The cause of death was from sepsis, caused by an 'invasive' Strep A infection. Before Theo's first admission, call handlers from the South West Ambulance Service Trust had graded his case as category one, meaning it was life-threatening. When Ms Kenneford called 111, her son's case was rated at category two by service operator Herts Urgent Care, which led to the ambulance taking longer to respond. Jon Knight, head of emergency operations at the South West Ambulance Service Trust, said that had the call been answered by his team it would have been graded as a category one. Asked about a likely response time, he replied: 'It certainly would have been quicker than 90 minutes, would be my belief.' The inquest heard that, had the ambulance reached Theo within the national target, he could have been in hospital by midnight. Prof Damian Roland, a paediatric consultant in emergency medicine, said he could say when the sepsis had developed but once an 'inflammatory cascade' begins it 'can be difficult, sometimes impossible to stop'. 'I am very clear about the fact that the night before (July 6), we were not in a cascade situation,' he said. The inquest heard it was difficult to know what the outcome would have been if Theo had been readmitted to the hospital after his mother spoke with the nurse on the phone or following the 111 call. 'I can't say on the balance of probability that intervention by 11pm would have made a critical difference,' he said. Assistant coroner Louise Wiltshire asked: 'Is it likely on balance of probabilities that Theo would have died when he did if appropriate care and treatment was administered at 11pm?' Prof Roland replied: 'I think had he arrived earlier, I think it is possible that he would not have suffered the cardiac arrest at that point.' He was asked about what could have happened had Theo arrived at the hospital by midnight if the 111 call had been graded as a category one emergency. 'I think some earlier treatment would have especially delayed the collapse,' Prof Roland said. At the end of the inquest, Ms Wiltshire said she had concerns about the 111 and 999 systems for grading calls which 'appear to create a two-tier system particularly if both are used in the same geographical area'.
Daily Mail
19 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Boy, three, who died after developing sepsis may not have suffered fatal cardiac arrest when he did if he was readmitted earlier, inquest told
A toddler who died after developing sepsis may not have suffered his fatal cardiac arrest when he did if he was readmitted to hospital earlier, an inquest has been told. Theo Tuikubulau, three, had been gradually getting sicker with a high temperature, flu-like symptoms and breathing difficulties and was struggling to eat or drink in the lead up to his tragic death. His mother Kayleigh Kenneford called 111 shortly before 11pm on July 7, 2022 and the operator graded the case as a category two - the second most urgent level of call. He had already been admitted and discharged from Plymouth's Derriford Hospital the previous day with a suspected upper respiratory infection. An ambulance arrived at their home near Plymouth shortly before 12.30am and Theo reached the hospital just after 1am. He was treated in the emergency department's resuscitation area and suffered the cardiac arrest at 1.35am before dying a short time later, Devon Coroner's Court heard. And Professor Damian Roland, a paediatric consultant in emergency medicine, told the inquest that Theo likely would not have died when he did had he been rushed back to hospital at 11pm that night. Giving evidence as an expert witness on the hospital care Theo received, Prof Roland was asked by coroner Louise Wiltshire: 'Is it likely on balance of probabilities that Theo would have died when he did if appropriate care and treatment was administered at 11pm?' He Roland replied: 'I think had he arrived earlier, I think it is possible that he would not have suffered the cardiac arrest at that point.' Ms Wiltshire said: 'That's the key consideration for an inquest, whether somebody would have died when they did if a different treatment was given. 'On balance of probabilities, if Theo had arrived in hospital at 11pm would he have died when he did?' Prof Roland replied: 'No.' He was asked about what could have happened had Theo been readmitted by midnight if the 111 call had been graded as a category one emergency. 'I think some earlier treatment would have especially delayed the collapse,' Prof Roland said. The witness did not agree with the notion that an earlier intervention would have prevented the toddler's death altogether. 'Even if antibiotics had been given at that stage, I think the cascade may have already started and it would have been very difficult to change the outcome,' he added. 'I can't say on the balance of probability that intervention by 11pm would have made a critical difference. 'If you give me six or 12 hours, I think I would say on the balance of probability, yes, something could have been done. 'I can't say on the balance of probabilities that in that time period we could have made a huge difference.' Prof Roland said from the evidence it was difficult to be certain of Theo's condition at the time his mother spoke with the nurse, but there was evidence at the time of the 111 call. Reiterating this, the witness said the toddler's original discharge from the hospital in the early hours of July 7 was not 'unreasonable'. Ms Kenneford was sent home with details of a phone number she should ring if she was concerned about Theo over the next 72 hours. She called that number at around 10pm on July 7 and spoke with a nurse but previously told the court she felt 'fobbed off'. Asked about this call, Prof Roland said: 'I think if you've got a constellation of things which are not improving, I think a standard would have been to review in that particular situation.' An hour later, Theo's mother phoned 111, and the witness said that having listened to that call he could hear Theo's breathing in the background and described it as 'grunting' which was a 'red flag'. Prof Roland described sepsis as an 'inappropriate response' to an infection, and it was critical the patient received life-saving treatment immediately. 'Once that inflammatory cascade has started, it can be difficult, sometimes impossible to stop,' he said. 'I am very clear about the fact that the night before (July 6), we were not in a cascade situation. 'I don't think that there was sepsis then. Knowing when the intervention could have been made is very difficult.' Theo died from sepsis caused by an 'invasive' Strep A infection. The inquest before a jury at County Hall in Exeter continues.
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Missed chances to prevent boy's sepsis death
Missed opportunities to provide earlier care contributed to the death of a three-year-old boy, an inquest jury has concluded. Theo Tuikubulau died from a Strep A infection which led to sepsis, the jury at County Hall in Exeter concluded. Kayleigh Kenneford called 111 on the evening of 7 July, 2022, because her son was unwell, but the inquest heard ambulance crews took 90 minutes to reach Theo's home in Torpoint, Cornwall, due to the grading given to the call. He died in the early hours the next day. The jury heard Theo would not have had a cardiac arrest and would not have died if he had arrived at hospital sooner. Ms Kenneford told the inquest Theo was a "happy, loving and affectionate little boy" who was obsessed with buses and fire engines and loved being at nursery. The 10-person jury concluded delays in ambulances, ambulance call categorisations and a 72-hour hotline to the hospital's child assessment unit all contributed to his death. The jury concluded there were "missed opportunities" in his early care. Before Ms Kenneford made the 111 call on 7 July, Theo had already been admitted and discharged from Plymouth's Derriford Hospital the previous day with a suspected upper respiratory infection, the inquest heard. For the previous 36 hours before the call, Theo had been gradually getting sicker with a high temperature, flu-like symptoms, breathing difficulties and was reluctant to drink or eat, the hearing was told. At 21:47 BST on July 7, Ms Kenneford rang a 72-hour hotline to the child assessment unit at the hospital where Theo had been earlier and spoke to a nurse who suggested she give Theo some sugary drinks. A recorded 111 call heard Theo "grunting" as he breathed and the inquest was told Ms Kenneford made a series of other 111 calls the night before making a 999 call. A category one response was made following the 999 call and Theo was taken back to Derriford Hospital when he suffered a cardiac arrest. He died a short time later as his parents held his hands. Consultant paediatrician Dr Andy Robinson told the inquest jury Theo did not have sepsis when he assessed him two days prior to his death. The inquest heard he would have got to hospital earlier had a 111 operator graded his call as life-threatening. Darryn Allcorn, chief nurse and director of integrated professions at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, said after the inquest the "early identification of sepsis in children be challenging, even for very experienced healthcare staff". "Whilst NICE [National Institute for Health and Care Excellence] guidance and all relevant procedures were followed including Theo being examined carefully, he was diagnosed with a viral infection and thought well enough to return home," he said. "He deteriorated quickly afterwards. "Our staff are committed to always considering sepsis as a possible diagnosis in any child who presents as unwell with a fever. "We continue to give our heartfelt condolences to Theo's family and will continue to offer them our support." Follow BBC Cornwall on X, Facebook and Instagram. Follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@ Boy could have reached hospital sooner - inquest Mum of boy who died of sepsis felt 'fobbed off' Boy had no sepsis days before death, says doctor HM Courts & Tribunals
BBC News
21 hours ago
- Health
- BBC News
Missed chances to prevent boy's sepsis death, inquest jury finds
Missed opportunities to provide earlier care contributed to the death of a three-year-old boy, an inquest jury has Tuikubulau died from a Strep A infection which led to sepsis, the jury at County Hall in Exeter Kenneford called 111 on the evening of 7 July, 2022, because her son was unwell, but the inquest heard ambulance crews took 90 minutes to reach Theo's home in Torpoint, Cornwall, due to the grading given to the call. He died in the early hours the next jury heard Theo would not have had a cardiac arrest and would not have died if he had arrived at hospital sooner. Ms Kenneford told the inquest Theo was a "happy, loving and affectionate little boy" who was obsessed with buses and fire engines and loved being at 10-person jury concluded delays in ambulances, ambulance call categorisations and a 72-hour hotline to the hospital's child assessment unit all contributed to his jury concluded there were "missed opportunities" in his early Ms Kenneford made the 111 call on 7 July, Theo had already been admitted and discharged from Plymouth's Derriford Hospital the previous day with a suspected upper respiratory infection, the inquest heard. Quickly deteriorated For the previous 36 hours before the call, Theo had been gradually getting sicker with a high temperature, flu-like symptoms, breathing difficulties and was reluctant to drink or eat, the hearing was 21:47 BST on July 7, Ms Kenneford rang a 72-hour hotline to the child assessment unit at the hospital where Theo had been earlier and spoke to a nurse who suggested she give Theo some sugary drinks.A recorded 111 call heard Theo "grunting" as he inquest heard Ms Kenneford made a series of 111 calls the night before making a 999 call.A category one response was made following the 999 call and Theo was taken back to Derriford Hospital when he suffered a cardiac arrest. He died a short time later as his parents held his hands. Early identification challenging Consultant paediatrician Dr Andy Robinson told the inquest jury Theo did not have sepsis when he assessed him two days prior to his inquest heard he would have got to hospital earlier had a 111 operator graded his call as life-threatening. Darryn Allcorn, chief nurse and director of integrated professions at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, said the "early identification of sepsis in children be challenging, even for very experienced healthcare staff". "Whilst NICE [National Institute for Health and Care Excellence] guidance and all relevant procedures were followed including Theo being examined carefully, he was diagnosed with a viral infection and thought well enough to return home," he said."He deteriorated quickly afterwards."Our staff are committed to always considering sepsis as a possible diagnosis in any child who presents as unwell with a fever."We continue to give our heartfelt condolences to Theo's family and will continue to offer them our support."
The Sun
a day ago
- Health
- The Sun
‘Happy' boy, 3, died holding his mum's hand just hours after doctors sent him home from hospital with an ‘ear infection'
KAYLEIGH Kenneford held her three-year-old son's hand as he died, mere hours after doctors sent him home with an 'ear infection'. Little Theo Tuikubulau passed away from sepsis on July 8, 2022, only two days after his first hospital visit. 2 Described by his mum as a 'happy, loving and affectionate little boy' obsessed with fire engines, Theo's mild cold-like symptoms quickly worsened, the inquest into his death heard. Exeter Coroner's Court was told a doctor at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth believed Theo had an ear infection and discharged him to their home in Torpoint, Cornwall, on July 7. Dr Andy Robinson, a consultant paediatrician, explained Theo's condition rapidly collapsed when he returned to hospital. On July 5, worried Kayleigh called NHS 111 after noticing Theo was 'not feeling himself' with a "snotty nose" and "cold-like symptoms". Ambulances were busy, so she was told a taxi could take him to hospital. This idea was stood down as he was sleeping. She gave him Calpol, hoping it was just a cold. Although he seemed a little better, Theo was far from his usual self, according to Cornwall Live. The next day, July 6, Theo was rushed to A&E after developing a "red dot" rash on his chest, a high fever of 40.2C, and struggling to breathe. Kayleigh described him gasping for air and the corners of his mouth turning blue. A doctor told her Theo, who wasn't drinking and hadn't passed urine all day, had an ear infection. "I felt OK because I believed what the professionals were saying," she told the jury, according to the BBC. The signs and symptoms of sepsis to look out for, according to The UK Sepsis Trust Due to the lack of urine, he was admitted to the Children's Assessment Unit and might get a drip, but it never happened. At around 10pm, a doctor examined Theo's eyes and ears and said he could go home without antibiotics. No blood tests or swabs were done to confirm infection. Theo was discharged at 12.30am on July 7, but Kayleigh said couldn't understand why he wasn't kept, especially as the ward wasn't busy. I tried to go back into the room, but they wouldn't let me. I went outside and was sick Kayleigh KennefordTheo's mum He spent a restless night in his mum's bed but continued to get worse. By 9:47pm, Kayleigh called a nurse at the Children's Unit, who told her to give Theo sugary drinks. "I felt I was being fobbed off," she said. When Theo's breathing grew 'crackly,' the mum called NHS 111 again and was told to call an ambulance immediately. At 12.56am on July 8, paramedics arrived and rushed Theo back to Derriford Hospital, where he was taken straight to resuscitation with suspected meningitis. 'It's so hard knowing that your child is being worked on, and they are trying to save him,' Kayleigh said. "I tried to go back into the room, but they wouldn't let me. I went outside and was sick." Despite frantic attempts to save him, doctors told the family there was nothing more they could do. "We went in the room and held his hand and they switched everything off," Kayleigh said quietly. Theo was confirmed to have died from sepsis, a condition where the immune system has a dangerous reaction to an infection. Strep A outbreak at the same time Dr Robinson explained that swabs weren't taken because results take 36-48 hours and wouldn't have helped at the time. And that Theo wasn't given antibiotics due to risk of allergic reactions. He said Kayleigh's call to the children's unit on July 7 showed 'nothing flagged' to suggest Theo was deteriorating. He described Theo as 'exceptionally pale' and very different from 24 hours before. 'He was still hot but no rash,' he said. 'I thought he had sepsis and septic shock.' Doctors struggled to get an IV line as Theo's body shut down; his heart rate dropped and he stopped breathing. He was given rescue breaths and chest compressions for 30 minutes. Dr Robinson said a Strep A outbreak during winter 2022/23 caused many rapid deteriorations in children. The inquest is scheduled to continue until Friday, July 4.
