Opportunities to save baby's life missed - coroner

Tommy died when he was seven months old

Medics missed "significant" opportunities to save a baby who died of an undetected heart condition in a Kent hospital, a coroner has said.

Seven-month-old Tommy Kneebone died on 21 January, 2023, at Tunbridge Wells Hospital in Pembury, after being taken there three days before.

Following an inquest into his death, coroner Sarah Clarke concluded it was due to "natural causes" but said medical "neglect" contributed.

A spokesperson for Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust apologised to the family and said it had implemented "important changes" since.

Outside the court, Tommy's mother, Shanice Kneebone, described him as "happy all the time" and "just so perfect".

She said it was "really hard" to go over everything at Kent and Medway Coroner's Court in Maidstone but said she thought "about what happened every day".

Mr and Mrs Kneebone first noticed Tommy had a cough in October 2022, the court heard previously.

But several trips to the GP and A&E failed to spot that he had cardiomyopathy, a condition that affects the heart's ability to pump blood.

Tommy was taken to Tunbridge Wells Hospital on 19 January, the inquest heard.

He was grunting and had been persistently unwell but was discharged when he should not have been.

Tommy's parents first notice he had a cough in October 2022

The coroner said that although Tommy had shown "clear red flags" of deterioration, hospital staff did not monitor or observe him properly, while repeated concerns by his parents were not acted on.

"These omissions represent more than a mere lapse in judgement," she wrote.

"They amount to a failure to provide basic medical attention."

Ms Clarke said while the underlying cardiomyopathy may not have been preventable, the failure to recognise and respond to the signs of decompensation "materially contributed to Tommy's death".

"'There were significant missed opportunities to render care that would have prolonged Tommy's life if not saved it," she added.

In a written statement, the family said they were grateful to the coroner and agreed with her conclusions.

But they added: "Nothing can ever bring Tommy back".

A trust spokesperson said: "We know there were failings in the care we provided".

They added: "We offer our heartfelt condolences to Tommy's parents and all those who knew and loved him."