Parents speak of grief after inquest
BABY DIED AFTER SURGERY
THE family of tragic baby Paul Mitchelhill who died at the age of just two days have opened up on the heartbreak of their loss.
Paul died on October 23, 2013, following abdominal surgery the day before at the Great North Children’s Hospital in Newcastle.
Coroner Karen Dilks recorded a narrative verdict at the inquest at Newcastle Coroner’s Court on Thursday, asserting failings by locum surgeon Emmanuel Towuaghanste – known as Mr Towu – ‘directly contributed’ to Paul’s death.
Now, Paul’s grieving parents Paul and Irene have revealed the agony of their loss which continues to leave a ‘void’ in their lives almost five years on.
The family’s statement read: “As a result of the failure by Mr Towu to recognise how sick Paul was, nothing was done until it was too late.
“Paul died the day after his surgery and we came home without our son having only held him for the first time as he was dying. We faced the horror of our losing our first baby boy and the trauma of him arriving home in a coffin.
“We hope lessons have been learned as a result of Paul’s death and are pleased to note that the Trust has put measures into place to make it easier for others to challenge other colleagues’ decisions and in particular locum staff.
“We have received an immense amount of support and love from our family and friends.
“We will now look to try to move on with our lives and our three-yearold daughter. She brings much love and happiness to our lives but we both continue to have a void left by Paul’s death.”
Mr Towu, 62, took the decision within hours of Carlisle-born Paul’s arrival at the hospital on October 21 to operate on a defect known as an exomphalos major – rather than wait to find out more.
Paul and Irene were not consulted ahead of the operation, and Mr Towu did not discuss the decision with permanent medical colleagues.
Surgery was undertaken o close the 7cm gap in his abdomen, but he quickly showed worrying symptoms of Abdominal Compartment Syndrome (ACS) due to a complication with the operation.
Expert surgeons told the four-day hearing that they would not have operated immediately, and the court heard opportunities to save his life were missed in the hours after the operation went wrong.
Delivering her verdict, Mrs Dilks said: “A locum surgeon with responsibilities for Paul’s care failed to undertake a thorough analysis of the risks and benefits of the primary closure operation.
“He undertook the operation within the first day of life when no emergency action was indicated and without the knowledge and appropriate discussion with Paul’s parents and surgical colleagues. He failed to identify abdominal compartment syndrome or give appropriate weight to the concerns expressed by the paediatric intensive team in respect of Paul’s condition.”
Speaking after the verdict, a spokesperson for the Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust confirmed an immediate investigation was carried out after Paul’s death to “ensure such an event could not happen again”.
They added: “We extend our sincere condolences to Paul’s parents who have been very understanding of the circumstances.”