The parents of a 15-year-old boy have told an inquest they pleaded with doctors to stop resuscitation attempts as their son died in front of them following heart surgery at a major children's hospital.
A Life Defined by Strength and Fragility
Antonio Galisi-Swallow, who had Down's syndrome, autism, and ADHD, passed away on 7 October 2021 at Leeds Children's Hospital. He had been born with a complex heart condition called tetralogy of Fallot and had previously undergone open heart surgery in 2006.
In September 2021, Antonio underwent a pulmonary valve replacement operation. His mother, Melina Galisi, told Wakefield Coroner's Court she had delayed the procedure from earlier in the year so Antonio could receive his Covid-19 vaccine.
In a poignant poem read to the court, Ms Galisi described her son as her "heart" and "home". She said he was "intuitive, sensitive" and that they shared a deep, wordless connection. "He loved calm breakfasts, lunches and unrushed baths every night," she added, painting a picture of a young man who found peace at home but was overwhelmed by the outside world.
Systemic Failings and a Deteriorating Condition
The inquest heard that plans to accommodate Antonio's complex needs were not followed. Ms Galisi said an agreement with the hospital's psychology and learning disability team for a private room, specific medication, and a care 'passport' was disregarded during a pre-operative appointment in April 2021.
"I gave the passport to a member of staff who barely looked at it before giving it back to me," Ms Galisi stated. She described the environment as "chaotic," leading to Antonio having a meltdown.
After his surgery, Antonio was placed in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). His condition soon deteriorated. He developed a high fever, with his temperature reaching 42C, and suffered from low blood pressure. Ms Galisi claimed the area around his bed was left in "a mess" and expressed concern that a nurse "wasn't comfortable caring for him".
She told the court that despite signs of a serious infection, including a rash, Antonio remained on the ward. His body began to reject milk from a feeding tube, indicating liver issues, and cooling measures failed.
'He Died in Front of Everybody'
By 6 October, Antonio's hands and feet were swollen, and fluid was oozing from his eyes and mouth. Ms Galisi said she felt doctors were "keeping him alive for scientific insight."
The following day, she was in a family room when a nurse informed her Antonio's heart had stopped. "I shouted not to resuscitate and rushed to PICU where I saw them trying to," Ms Galisi said. "His father asked them to stop, which they eventually did."
She described the traumatic scene: "He died in front of everybody in the ward, with no privacy, naked, bleeding and pierced with the tubes. The details of how he died will haunt me forever."
Antonio's father, Mr Swallow, added: "We knew he wasn't going to survive, we just wanted him to die with a bit of dignity. They tried to resuscitate him even when we asked them to let him go. Enough was enough."
The inquest heard medical evidence from Dr Imran Kassai, a consultant at Leeds General Infirmary, who said it had been anticipated Antonio could be taken off ventilation the day after surgery "without complication." Dr Ramesh Kumar, who performed the operation, said he was "quite surprised" by Antonio's subsequent condition on PICU.
The inquest continues.
