Teen dies of cancer after being told pain ‘is asthma’
A BOY of 13 died from a tumour in his chest after a&e doctors sent him home five times believing he had nothing more serious than asthma, an inquest heard.
Sebastian nowak was suffering from increasingly severe chest pain and breathing difficulties, but one doctor told his parents it was down to ‘growing’ and another suggested ‘clean your apartment’ as if to imply dirty living conditions were to blame.
The teenager was seen by a series of junior doctors on six visits to north Manchester General Hospital over a 13- day period in 2015 and was never referred to senior colleagues. When an X-ray was finally carried out, the doctor involved lacked the clinical knowledge to identify the large tumour causing a critical obstruction of his airways.
Sebastian was told ‘there’s nothing there, you can go home’. But three or four hours later he broke down in acute pain as his heart stopped and his parents Oskar, 37, and Magdalena, 39, took him back to hospital. Medical staff revived Sebastian and the tumour was later identified.
He was transferred to the royal Manchester Children’s Hospital and underwent chemotherapy but died three months later in October 2015.
His parents later launched a ‘Justice for Sebastian’ campaign over the ‘gross negligence’ they claim he suffered at the doctors who should have intervened. They are attempting to raise £60,000 through an internet appeal to cover legal fees and are pressing ahead with a civil claim.
Mrs nowak wiped away tears as she told the hearing in Manchester: ‘none of this will bring our son back. However, I’d like to think there won’t be further errors like this. I’m surprised that doctors were not able to recognise such basic symptoms.’
Mr nowak, a lorry driver, told the inquest how his son ‘felt he had a ball in his chest’.
He said: ‘every time we mentioned it the doctors would say, “He’s still growing, that’s why he’s got chest pain”. The last time he was admitted, one of the doctors said, “It’s nothing serious – you need to clean your apartment”.’
During the inquest, Mr and Mrs nowak listened to an apology from the trust and to assurances from Dr anton Sinniah, its divisional clinical director, that reforms had been introduced to ensure no similar failures in the future – particularly when it comes to symptoms of chest pain. north Manchester Hospital admitted Sebastian should have been seen by more senior doctors at a&e.
The hearing was resumed yesterday after being adjourned the previous week to allow the family to introduce evidence supporting their claim that the failures amounted to neglect and had denied Sebastian an 80 per cent chance of a cure.
assistant Manchester coroner, angharad Davies, agreed the trust’s failure to provide basic medical care amounted to neglect. However, she said the errors had not caused his death and ruled he died a natural death.
after the hearing, Mrs nowak said she and her husband rejected the findings and will continue their campaign.