Boy died of sepsis day after hospital discharge

Exeter Coroner's Court was told a doctor at Derriford Hospital thought Theo Tuikubulau had an ear infection

The mother of a three-year-old boy who died from sepsis a day after he was discharged from a Plymouth hospital felt she was "being fobbed off" by doctors, a court has heard.

A doctor at Derriford Hospital believed Theo Tuikubulau had an ear infection and sent him home in a taxi to Torpoint with his mother Kayleigh Kenneford on 7 July 2022, Exeter Coroner's Court was told.

A jury also heard a statement from Ms Kenneford, who wept as it was read out, in which she described Theo as a "happy, loving and affectionate little boy" who was obsessed with fire engines.

The inquest continues and was due to last most of the week.

Deteriorating breathing

The jury heard that three days before his death, Theo had "cold-like symptoms" with a "snotty nose".

They were told he was "not feeling himself".

Ms Kenneford said she called 111 but she was told that ambulances were busy and that a taxi could take Theo to Derriford Hospital.

This was stood down, however, as he was sleeping.

The jury heard the following day, Theo was taken to A&E with a rash on his chest with red dots, a temperature of 40.2C (104.36F) and deteriorating breathing.

Ms Kenneford said a doctor told her that Theo - who was not taking any fluids - had an ear infection and the mother and son were discharged at 01:20 BST on 7 July.

"I felt okay because I believed what the professionals were saying," Ms Kenneford said.

Life support

The jury heard Ms Kenneford was told Theo "might get worse before he gets better" and was advised to give him sugary drinks.

Ms Kenneford said: "I felt I was being fobbed off."

Theo was later rushed back to Derriford Hospital with suspected meningitis and was taken into resus, the jury heard.

The court was also told that as Theo's family were waiting in a nearby room, the same doctor who had earlier discharged him told them they were working on him.

Ms Kenneford said the doctor returned later to say they had done all they could for Theo and asked them to hold his hand as life support was switched off.

She said Theo's cause of death was then given as sepsis.