Hospital apologises over death of boy from sepsis

James W Kelly
BBC News
Family handout Daniel Klosi is seen smiling in a black-and-white portrait image. He is seen from the neck up.Family handout
Daniel Klosi died of sepsis in April 2023 after four hospital visits in a week

The parents of a four-year-old boy who died of sepsis have received an apology and an undisclosed financial settlement from the north London hospital where he was taken four times in a week.

Daniel Klosi died at the Royal Free Hospital in Camden on 2 April 2023 after his symptoms were missed by doctors on three previous visits.

His mother Lindita Alushi told BBC London the apology and settlement "can never make up for the death of a child", but she was "relieved" the hospital acknowledged mistakes were made in Daniel's care.

A spokesperson for the hospital said they were "deeply sorry that Daniel died while under our care" and that measures had been put in place to improve.

Ms Alushi's son was "probably" septic when he was seen by medical staff in the hours before he died, an inquest at East London Coroner's Court heard in August.

The coroner ruled that while doctors missed a sepsis diagnosis for Daniel, the trust was not neglectful in its care.

Sepsis is when the body's immune system overreacts to an infection and starts attacking its own tissues and organs.

Ms Alushi, who lives in Kilburn, said that while the investigation into her son's care had highlighted individual and systemic failures, "basically it was only one thing that led to Daniel's death - we were not heard as parents".

"Our concerns were dismissed," she said. "Observations were not taken and we were left to wait for hours, especially on the last visit even though Daniel was deteriorating in the waiting area. He was seen too late."

During the inquest, the coroner noted Daniel, who had autism, came in with an "atypical presentation of sepsis" and there was a "lack of understanding" of how to view the needs of a neurodivergent child.

Ms Alushi, who is a qualified doctor in her native Albania, said she hoped "lessons can be learned".

"Such avoidable deaths should not be happening," she added.

PA Media Daniel Klosi (right) with his father Kastriot KlosiPA Media
Mr Klosi previously described his son Daniel, who was autistic, as a "lively boy"

Lucy Macklin, a solicitor who represented Daniel's parents, said the case was about getting "justice for Daniel", although "no amount of money is ever going to bring a child back".

She said she hoped the Royal Free London Trust would implement the measures raised by the coroner in her prevention of future deaths report.

Ms Macklin added: "I think it's important for people and parents in particular to be aware that not all the signs and symptoms [of sepsis] will show altogether.

"So if you have any concerns that it could be sepsis, you do need to seek emergency advice. And go to the doctors insist, and just ask, 'could it be sepsis?' Because it could make a difference."

The Royal Free London Trust spokesperson said: "Following a thorough investigation, we identified a number of areas for improvement, and measures were taken to immediately address these.

"This included improving training and awareness for all of our staff, particularly in relation to children who repeatedly visit our emergency departments; how we care for children with learning disabilities; and the importance of listening to parents and carers when they raise concerns."

Lindita Alushi and Kastriot Klosi sit on a sofa holding a photo of Daniel
Lindita Alushi and Kastriot Klosi's son Daniel was taken to hospital four times before he died

How to spot sepsis in young children

The NHS advises to go to A&E or call 999 if a child aged under 5 has an infection and shows any of these signs:

  • Mottled, bluish or pale skin
  • Very lethargic or difficult to wake
  • Feels abnormally cold to touch
  • Rash that doesn't fade when pressed
  • Fit or convulsion
  • Struggling to breathe, grunting with every breath, or breathing very fast
  • Unable to say more than a few words at a time
  • Pauses in breathing
  • Vomiting green, bloody, or black vomit
  • Unresponsive, very irritable, floppy, or showing no interest in anything
  • Bulging soft spot on a baby's head
  • Weak, whining, or continuous crying in a young child
  • Older child with confusion or neck stiffness (difficulty touching chin to chest)

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