Autistic boy’s death may have been avoidable, says review

AN AUTISTIC teenager died because doctors ignored warnings about a drug he was given, his parents claim, as a review found his death was “potentially avoidable”.

Oliver Mcgowan, 18, died at Southmead Hospital in Bristol in 2016 after being given the anti-psychotic olanzapine. It triggered neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) – a rare side-effect.

An independent review has now found that the fit and healthy teenager’s death was “potentially avoidable” and that little consideration had been given to other treatment options.

Oliver’s parents are also calling for a second inquest, claiming that he died “as a result of the combined ignorance and arrogance of doctors”.

The learning disability mortality review into Oliver’s death concluded: “There was a general lack of understanding and acknowledgement of Oliver’s autism and how Oliver presented himself when in seizure.

“Despite a body of written evidence – alongside verbal requests from Oliver and Oliver’s family – not to prescribe olanzapine, there was no substantial evidence that consideration had been given to explore alternatives to antipsychotic medication.

“Additionally, given the circumstances, a multidisciplinary best interest meeting should have taken place.”

In 2018, an inquest concluded that olanzapine had caused Oliver to suffer from NMS, which was “a significant contributory factor” in his death, but the drug had been “appropriate”.

In July, Avon and Somerset Police confirmed they were investigating the death. North Bristol NHS Trust said staff “did their very best” and “sought to give him the best possible treatment”.