It Wasn’t Harrys Time.
Posted by: Richard Johnson
It Wasn’t Harrys Time.
You may have seen the posts on Facebook about the untimely death of four year old Harry due to medical neglect.
I’ve been meaning to delve deeper, to inquire of the attitude of the hospital, the despair and courage of Harry’s family.
Yet still I have the devastating knowledge that no matter what the outcome of investigations, no matter what the compensation this family receive, this little boy died at the wrong time.
Harry was a happy fun loving little boy, full of curiosity and exuberance.
He loved life and adored being chased, collapsing into hopeless giggles when caught by his adoring siblings.
Harry was failed and betrayed by the very people we, as the public trust.
After waking up on the 14th of June and treating his family to his usual beautiful smile he gradually began displaying signs of fatigue and illness
Over the next eight days Harry was seen by a total of seven Dr’s, two being at the family GP surgery, one being at an out of hours surgery and the rest over the course of two visits to the local accident and emergency.
An ill little boy suffering severe nausea unable to keep anything down, tired and gradually growing weaker while his increasingly desperate parents sought help from medical professionals.
A little boy who, after eight days passed away at home, failed completely after being sent home by the hospital with severe dehydration.
No blood tests or any other type of investigations were offered by the hospital the two times Harry was there.
On the first occasion he was kept there nine hours, assaulted by smells and unfamiliar sounds with strip lighting blinking above to further aggravate his senses and trigger further nausea.
I spoke to Richard Clements, Harry’s father and asked him ten questions about his son, his memories of Harry and the abysmal failure of the medical system that led to his tragic death.
The following questions and answers are as follows:
Harry, what was he like?
Richard: ‘He was a cuddle monster and very stubborn but always happy.
When was he diagnosed and how did you feel?
Richard: ‘He was diagnosed with autism at 2 yrs old and it was no surprise as we have 3 others diagnosed with autism.’
When did he first start feeling ill?
Richard: ‘He was first starting to feel ill on the Saturday evening the 14th June.’
What did hospital say first time and how was Harry at the hospital?
Richard: ‘It took 2 visits to the GP and one to the out of hours service to be referred to hospital and the hospital diagnosed dehydration almost immediately and harry was ok at first a little agitated but as time went on he was becoming more and more distressed.’
How was Harry when you took him home the first night?
Richard: ‘He was still obviously poorly but he wouldn’t settle at the hospital and the dr said that no tests or treatment would be carried out overnight when we got home after 9 hours at hospital harry was asleep in minutes.’
What happened when you took him back
Richard: ‘The nurse weighed Harry then the Dr discharged him without taking any observations and when I asked about the blood tests and treatment she told me they were no longer necessary and would not be carried out and to take him home.’
I know this is hard, but how did he pass?
Richard: ‘He was lying down after a feed watching TV and he went asleep and never regained consciousness.’
What action has been taken since?
Richard: ‘I have asked the police to be involved but they told me its very complicated and very difficult to prosecute a Dr. There is a civil case being brought against the hospital and also our campaign.’
A message from you to doctors presented with a child on the spectrum to examine.
Richard: ‘Take your time and listen.
Remember a child on the spectrum present themselves differently, have patience.
Always double check everything and communicate with the parents don’t take anything for granted and if unsure about any aspect consult both the medical notes and another Dr just to be double sure.’
Lastly, any parting thoughts?
Richard: ‘My parting thoughts are that Harry would undoubtedly still be with us if the Dr’s had taken their time and had given him the treatment that he deserved, and if highlighting his story can save just one other child then sharing his story would have been worthwhile
Also I hope that everyday since he passed and everyday forward the Dr’s involved have to think about those final days of Harry’s life and that prevents them or anyone else from making the same mistakes again.’
To lose a child is devastating in itself.
When the child’s death so obviously could have been prevented, when seven Dr’s over the course of eight days witnessed that child grow gradually weaker until he eventually died of dehydration you have to ask this question……why?
Why was this allowed to occur?
Why have Harry’s family had to bury their four year old son?
Why have Harry’s siblings been left to grow up without their brother?
It wasn’t Harry’s time, justice shall prevail but Harry is no longer here.
He was betrayed by the medical system in the worse way and abandoned by the Dr’s meant to care for him.
Justice For Harry.
R.I.P little angel.
http://www.nottinghampost.com/Parents-protest-tummy-bug-boy-dies/story-21752439-detail/story.htm
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