Baby died after medics ignored 999 crew’s fears over meningitis
It’s still difficult that we do not understand why Arlo was not screened and treated for sepsis given how serious it is Mum Leanne Amyes
AHEARTBROKEN mum has told how her two-year-old son died after doctors overlooked warnings of sepsis blood poisoning flagged up by paramedics.
University Hospitals Birmingham admitted two-year-old Arlo Bennett, from Solihull, could have survived if he had been treated for sepsis earlier at Heartlands Hospital.
Little Arlo was rushed to A&E in February when mum Leanne Amyes, 28, found he had stopped breathing after suffering a seizure and being sick.
Despite paramedics flagging the tell-tale signs of sepsis – including a fever and a high heart rate – to the hospital in Bordesley Green, doctors did not believe them.
As a result, the toddler was not screened or given antibiotics and his condition began to deteriorate.
Arlo wasn’t diagnosed with meningitis until nine hours later where he was finally given intravenous antibiotics.
Sadly, this was not enough to save the youngster and he died later that same day after suffering a cardiac arrest.
A damning hospital report has now revealed the root cause of Arlo’s death was a “delay in recognition and treatment of sepsis” caused by meningitis.
It said had the possibility of meningitis or sepsis been considered earlier and antibiotics given, “the outcome may have been different”.
The investigation also found Arlo’s symptoms, including a fever and a high heart rate, met the criteria to be screened for sepsis.
Mum Leanne and partner Finton Bennett, 26, of Solihull, marked World Sepsis Day by urging lessons be learned from the tragedy.
They want health workers to be more aware of the signs of sepsis – which sees the body attack itself in response to an infection – after a string of errors led to their son’s death.
Leanne, who has another son, Alfie, six, with Finton said: “Arlo was such a happy boy who was always smiling and it remains incredibly hard to talk about what happened.
“I have lost my beautiful son and Alfie his little play mate.
“It’s still difficult that we do not understand why Arlo was not screened and treated for sepsis given how serious it is.
“Although he was very poorly it’s hard not to think that he would still be with us and of how he would be growing and developing if the seriousness of his condition had been recognised and he had received treatment sooner.
“Before this I hadn’t really heard of sepsis but it’s now something that we will never forget.
“The pain and grief has been unbearable and I don’t know whether our family will ever come to terms with it. While I know nothing will change what has happened, I just hope that by speaking out about Arlo’s death it makes people aware of how dangerous sepsis is and the need to be aware and recognise signs of the condition. I wouldn’t wish this pain on anyone.”
Doctors originally suspected Arlo was showing signs of a viral upper respiratory tract infection following an initial assessment upon arrival at hospital.
Despite concerns raised by the paramedics and Arlo meeting the criteria, the sepsis screening tool was not used. Throughout the night and early morning, nine observations and assessments were carried out on Arlo, the serious incident report found. During this time Arlo was hot to the touch and very unsettled. At about 9.50am on February 1 Leanne noticed a purple rash on Arlo’s skin.
A presumptive diagnosis of meningitis was made and Arlo started receiving intravenous antibiotics at around 10am.
Doctors discussed moving Arlo to a specialist children’s hospital. However, at around 1.30pm he suffered a cardiac arrest and died 30 minutes later.
Following his death Leanne instructed specialist medical negligence lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to help investigate the standard of care provided to Arlo.
The University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust report found Arlo was not placed on a “sepsis pathway”, which would have seen him undergo tests.
It made several recommendations including all medical and nursing staff be aware of the sepsis pathway screening tool and a consultant should lead assessments of patients who are admitted with a fever.
Laura Ellacott, the legal expert at
Irwin Mitchell representing the family, said: “Sadly through our work we often see the devastating consequences that families can be left to face because of sepsis.
“Awareness of the signs of sepsis and early detection are key to beating it. While the Hospital Trust’s own report has identified concerns in respect of Arlo’s care we welcome the recommendations it has included.
“Nothing can make up for Arlo’s death but it’s vital that these recommendations are upheld at all times so others don’t have to suffer the heartbreak that Leanne and her family have.”
A spokeswoman for University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Heartlands Hospital, said: “The trust offers its unreserved apologies for the failings in the care of Arlo Bennett and extends its deepest sympathy to Leanne Amyes and her family for their sad loss.
“Our investigation acknowledged a delay in recognition of Arlo’s condition and that earlier treatment could have led to a different outcome.
“It is vitally important that we learn from this tragic death and to this end we have implemented and continue to closely monitor the action plan arising from our serious incident report.”