Doctor struck off after errors cost life of six-year-old boy

 A doctor whose mistakes cost the life of a six-year-old has been struck off after a High Court challenge.

Jack Adcock, of Glen Parva, Leics, who had Down’s syndrome and a known heart condition, died at Leicester Royal Infirmary in 2011 after he developed sepsis.

In 2015, Dr Hadiza Bawa-garba was found guilty of gross negligence manslaughter and given a suspended two-year jail sentence. A Medical Practitioners Tribunal later imposed only 12 months’ suspension. At the High Court, the General Medical Council asked two judges to direct that Bawa-garba be struck off.

Jeremy Hunt, the Health Secretary, last night suggested that the decision could have implications for patient safety if doctors felt they could not admit openly to their mistakes.

The Medical Protection Society said the decision could “jeopardise an open, learning culture in healthcare”.

Mr Hunt tweeted: “Deeply concerned about possibly unintended implications here for learning & reflective practice in e-journals. Am also perplexed GMC acted as they did: patient safety must be paramount.”