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Senior Coroner Mary Hassell is bringing fresh impetus to the Martha’s Rule campaign. Ms Hassell, the Coroner at the inquest of Martha Mills, now says she has seen striking similarities in the case of another young girl, Riya Hirani, who died from complications of a streptococcal A infection, following apparent failings in care at Northwick Park Hospital.
I wrote recently about issues surrounding sepsis care and Martha's rule – a proposal currently being considered by Health Secretary Steve Barclay. If enshrined in law, it would provide patients and their families with the right to obtain a second medical opinion. Martha died following failings in the diagnosis and treatment of sepsis and her family are fighting hard for a change in the law – Martha’s Rule.
Ms Hassell has now written a report for Mr Barclay explaining that, being aware of the campaign, she believes that he also needs to consider matters brought to light in the inquest of Riya Hirani before deciding how to proceed.
The report set out that in Riya’s case, a junior doctor examined and assessed her but failed to appreciate the severity of her condition and failed to admit her to hospital for intravenous antibiotics. Instead, he diagnosed a virus and discharged her with advice to take over the counter painkillers and a sheet describing the management of sore throats. This was despite Riya’s mother being convinced that her child was extremely ill and questioning the doctor about whether she could have a group A streptococcal infection.
Ms Hassell noted that no thought was given to seeking a second opinion. Had this option been open to Riya’s family, she considered it highly likely that they would have taken this without hesitation. She set out that, regarding the circumstances of both Martha and Riya’s deaths, ‘on each occasion a parent’s articulately expressed and ultimately prescient concerns about a previously healthy but rapidly deteriorating child, did not result in appropriate escalation of care’.
Ms Hassle also said it seemed to her that there was ‘a fundamental issue regarding the lack of appropriate diagnosis and treatment that is apparent locally but relevant nationally’.
This warning appears to be of considerable concern not only for children but for patients of all ages.
As medical negligence solicitors we are all too aware of how quickly those with severe infections and sepsis deteriorate and how vital prompt diagnosis and treatment is to a good outcome. Unfortunately, we also see many cases where patients consider that their concerns have been overlooked.
We believe strongly that patient empowerment is of the greatest importance for improving medical care. We support the passing of Martha’s Rule which would enable all patients access to a second opinion when they consider that their concerns are not being heard.
We are specialists in bringing legal claims for compensation relating to failures in the treatment of infections and sepsis. If you are concerned about the medical care that you or a family member has received, please contact our sensitive and supportive team for a no obligation discussion.
FURTHER INFORMATION
If you have any questions or concerns about the issues raised in this blog, please contact Eurydice Cote or any member of our Medical Negligence and Personal Injury team.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Eurydice Cote is a Senior Associate in the Medical Negligence Team. She represents individuals who have sustained life changing injuries, and regularly secures high value settlements for her clients.
We welcome views and opinions about the issues raised in this blog. Should you require specific advice in relation to personal circumstances, please use the form on the contact page.
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