To save one life: 7 doctors, 9 consultants, 18 nurses, 22 scientists, 5 support staff, 1 professor and 1 receptionist
1. Dr MARILYN MCDOUGALL Paediatric intensive care consultant at Evelina Children’s Hospital ‘I WAS on duty when Darent Valley Hospital asked us to fetch Phineas, as he was getting worse despite their treatment. As he was only 24 days old, and therefore very vulnerable to serious infections and life-threatening complications, I agreed we should take him. We’re one of London’s specialist children’s hospitals, with expertise in caring for babies.’
2. HARRIET SANDERS Paediatric intensive care nurse ‘JUST 20 minutes after receiving the call to collect Phineas, the retrieval team were on our way in an intensive care ambulance.’
3. PAULA YOUNG Paediatric retrieval nurse ‘I WAS also in the ambulance. I helped assess Phineas and ensured his parents understood the reasons for the transfer.’
4. SEAN HAYES Retrieval technician
5. EMMA RAYNOR Retrieval nurse BOTH Sean and Emma assisted in Phineas’s transfer to the Evelina Children’s Hospital.
6. Dr PAUL JAMES Consultant, paediatric intensive care DOCTORS suspected a virus or bacteria such as meningitis. Until they knew for sure, Dr James prescribed antibiotics and antivirals.
7. Dr SAUMEN MEUR Paediatric intensive care clinical fellow [a junior doctor] ‘I MONITORED Phineas’s condition for a number of hours, checking vital statistics such as temperature.’
8. HANNAH WILLIAMS Senior staff nurse, paediatric intensive care ‘I REMEMBER it was an especially busy day when Phineas was admitted. In paediatric intensive care we must ensure a ratio of one nurse to one patient, and I allocated the nurse responsible for Phineas.’
9. CLARE STENNING Sister and night nurse in charge RESPONSIBLE for checking Phineas’s vital statistics and medication.
10. Dr SARA HANNA Consultant, paediatric intensive care
11. RUTH CROFTS Nurse BOTH supervised Phineas’s care and made sure the various drips and fluids were correctly administered.
12. Dr ANDREW NYMAN Paediatric intensive care fellow LIAISED with specialists, such as virologists, who needed to perform tests.
13. HABIBA KAWU Neonatal staff nurse ‘PHINEAS was very sick at the beginning. I touched him on the head and told him I would be responsible for him. He was making good progress at the end of my shift — that made my day.’
14. TAMMY KNIGHTS Diagnostic radiographer TOOK a chest X-ray of Phineas.
15. LADIPO CARLTON-CAREW Medical laboratory assistant RESPONSIBLE for ensuring the correct lab tests were performed.
16. KATARZYNA KRAJ Medical laboratory assistant TESTED Phineas’s kidney function, which was shown to be normal.
17. DAVID BOOTH Medical technical officer ‘WHEN Phineas was admitted, the doctors were still trying to find out the cause of his symptoms. One possibility was an inherited disorder affecting his metabolism, and his ability to process sugar properly. I performed these tests.’
18. REX LOCHINVAR KINTANAR Medical laboratory assistant RESPONSIBLE for collecting blood and urine samples.
19. TOM WALTON Biomedical scientist ‘I CHECKED Phineas’s urine result on his first day in intensive care. Phineas’s normal result ruled out a number of conditions, which can be potentially fatal if not treated quickly.’
20. ANDREA WILSON Senior biomedical scientist SUPERVISOR in the virology department that tests for any signs of viruses. 21. MARIE CROSS Medical laboratory assistant PROCESSED samples in the lab.
22. BEVERLEY MAGOWAN Senior nurse and breastfeeding link nurse DOCTORS decided to feed Phineas with a bottle formula while they were treating him, and so Beverley advised Laura on how to express breast milk, so she could continue feeding him once he was better.
23. MOLLIE COOK Lead counsellor practitioner ‘I MET Phineas’s mum on the day that he was admitted to intensive care to talk about her feelings and anxieties.’
24. KATE SULLIVAN Biomedical scientist ‘I ASSESSED Phineas’s blood samples under the microscope — I saw a few unusual cells that would indicate he may have a serious infection, so I passed the slide to the doctor to review.’
25. JACKIE LYNCH Biomedical scientist JACKIE was also responsible for analysing his blood samples.
26. Dr JOHN KLEIN Consultant microbiologist RESPONSIBLE for looking at the results of Phineas’s tests.
27. Dr SHYAMALA MOGANASUNDRAM Consultant, paediatric intensive care ‘I DISCHARGED Phineas from the intensive care unit after two days as his condition stabilised, and his temperature came down. The look on the parents’ faces when we can discharge their child on to another ward for recovery makes it all worthwhile.’
28. EMMA JOHNSON Paediatric staff nurse ‘WHEN Phineas was transferred to our ward I assessed his needs in order to plan his care. I remember reassuring his family he’d still get the treatment he required.’
29. Dr SUNITI BISHT Paediatric specialist registrar INVOLVED in day-to-day management of Phineas’s care.
30. FATIMA MEHO Paediatric staff nurse ‘I LOOKED after Phineas when he was brought to us from the intensive care unit. I remember reading his medical notes and thinking how strong he was to have got through his illness so far.’
31. Dr DIPAK KANABAR Consultant paediatrician OVERSAW Phineas’s care.
32. REBECCA MORRIS Paediatric staff nurse
33. GAIL SWANN General nursing assistant
34. CARMEN BARTON Matron
35. KAY PENEY Senior staff nurse
36. CARMENCITA MAURICIO Staff nurse ALL five were responsible for Phineas’s welfare while he was on the ward.
37. Dr SEEMA HAIDER Trainee GP LOOKED at Phineas’s vital signs to check he was improving.
38. ELLEN WHITE Senior staff nurse ‘I WAS partly responsible for co-ordinating Phineas’s care, and providing much-needed emotional support for the family.’
39. SARAH MCMURTIE Clinical educator and ward manager ‘PHINEAS’S parents were very relieved to leave intensive care, but there’s always a chance something could go wrong, so you’re always on your toes.’
40. Dr EMMA AARONS Consultant virologist ENSURED the correct tests were done for all the possible viral illnesses.
41. Dr SATHYASEELAN JAYASEELAN Specialist registrar, paediatrics ‘I PERFORMED the lumbar punctures, which involves taking samples of spinal fluid to test for any swelling on the brain. I try my best to give confidence to the mums about the outcome.’
42. ELLEN SAMUEL Ward manager OVERSAW Phineas’s care.
43. Dr IAN PLUMB Registrar, infectious diseases ‘MY JOB was to help test for viruses, overseeing blood and spinal fluid tests. It’s a privilege to bridge the gap between the laboratory work and the doctors at the bedside.’
44. Dr ESSE MENSON Consultant in paediatric infectious disease ‘UNFORTUNATELY, there’s no specific treatment against many viruses, so supportive care was key. Having seen several newborns with the virus that Phineas was eventually found to have, we were very concerned, as in severe cases it can lead to brain damage or even death. It was wonderful seeing him pull through.’
45. SUSAN GALLIVAN Radiology receptionist ‘MY ROLE is ensuring the patient’s notes are in order when they come for scans. I am particularly aware there should be no delay with our little patients such as Phineas.’
46. MAUREEN MORRIS Assistant in radiology department RESULTS from the lumbar puncture suggested swelling o assisted the sonog sound scan of Phine
47. AZIZA MAKKI Senior sonographe ‘AS A mother I wa such a uncertain they’re going thro umbilical septicaem After scanning the f and seeing the anxio I was pleased to se scans were normal.’