Boy's asthma death was 'consequence of healthcare failures'

Christine Hui said her son's asthma was not taken seriously in the months before his death

A 10-year-old boy died from an asthma attack as a "consequence of failures by healthcare professionals", a coroner has concluded.

William Gray died at Southend University Hospital in Essex in May 2021.

His mother claimed his asthma was not taken seriously in the months beforehand.

Following a two-week inquest, area coroner Sonia Hayes concluded that "neglect" contributed to his death.

"There were multiple failures to escalate and treat William's very poorly controlled asthma by healthcare professionals that would and should have saved William's life," said Ms Hayes.

William's asthma was generally well-controlled in the years leading up to a severe attack in October 2020

The inquest, which took place at the Essex coroner's court in Chelmsford, heard how William's asthma was generally well-controlled and he had not been admitted to hospital for any attacks in the three years before October 2020.

But his mother Christine Hui was forced to give CPR on 27 October that year when he was struggling to breathe and he was admitted to hospital.

The incident was recorded as a "severe asthma attack", rather than a respiratory attack, the inquest was told.

In spring 2021, William's asthma worsened and Ms Hui spoke to his GP, the asthma nurse and the GP practice nurse a few weeks before he died.

His medication was not changed and he was not referred for further care, the coroner was told.

Ms Hui slept in the same bed as her son up until 29 May 2021, when he suffered another attack and died in the early hours of the morning.

The inquest lasted two weeks at the coroner's court in Chelmsford

Ms Hayes's full conclusion noted: "William Gray died as a consequence of failures by healthcare professionals to recognise the severity and frequency of his asthma symptomatology and the consequential risk to his life that was obvious.

"William's death was contributed to by neglect. William's death was avoidable."

Ms Hayes said there should have been more "medical curiosity" in his case and added: "Record keeping was minimal, contact was minimal and William's voice was nowhere to be heard, and he was old enough to be involved."

William Gray's voice was "nowhere to be heard", the coroner said

Ms Hui said in a statement, at the start of the inquest, that her son was a "cheeky" and "clever boy" who dreamt of being a doctor.

He died from a cardio respiratory arrest due to acute and severe asthma.

The Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT), which runs the local children's asthma and allergy service, said its "heartfelt sympathies" remained with William's family.

'Learning'

An EPUT spokesperson said: "We continue to work with our partners across the health and care system to ensure children with complex needs and their families receive the best possible care and support.

"We will be reviewing and acting on the coroner's findings."

The Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Southend hospital, said it was "committed to learning from this terrible loss".

Diane Sarkar, the chief nursing and quality officer at the trust, said: "Since his death in 2021 we have brought in numerous changes to improve patient care."