A devastating coroner's report has revealed systemic failures in NHS care after a seven-week-old baby boy died just hours after being discharged from hospital with what doctors diagnosed as a simple 'tummy bug'.
Tragic Sequence of Events
The infant, known only as Baby B to protect the family's privacy, was taken to Milton Keynes University Hospital by his concerned parents after developing worrying symptoms including vomiting and diarrhoea. Despite clear signs of distress, medical staff assessed the child and sent the family home with reassurances that it was likely a common stomach virus.
Rapid Deterioration
Tragically, within hours of returning home, the baby's condition deteriorated rapidly. The parents immediately called emergency services, but despite paramedics' efforts and a swift return to hospital, the infant could not be saved.
Coroner's Serious Concerns
In a Prevention of Future Deaths report, Area Coroner Emma Whitting highlighted multiple concerns about the hospital's discharge procedures. The report identified that staff may have failed to adequately assess the severity of the baby's condition and missed critical warning signs that should have prompted further investigation.
Key Failings Identified
- Inadequate assessment of vital signs
- Failure to recognise severity of symptoms
- Poor documentation of discharge decisions
- Insufficient safety netting advice for parents
Hospital Response
Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has acknowledged the coroner's findings and confirmed they are implementing immediate changes to their paediatric discharge protocols. A spokesperson expressed deep condolences to the family and committed to learning from this tragic incident.
Broader Implications for NHS Care
This case has raised significant questions about discharge procedures for young infants across the NHS, particularly regarding how medical staff assess and communicate risks to parents of vulnerable babies. Healthcare experts are calling for nationwide review of paediatric discharge guidelines to prevent similar tragedies.
The family's heartbreaking experience serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of thorough medical assessment for infants, whose conditions can change with alarming speed.
