Doctor regrets prescribing antibiotics that led to teenager's death

A physician caring for a 14-year-old boy who later succumbed to meningitis has expressed profound remorse for discontinuing antibiotic treatment, an inquest revealed.

Callum Hubbard, from Dronfield, Derbyshire, passed away on 8 February 2014, three months following ear surgery. Dr. Katie Midwinter, who performed the operation, told Chesterfield Coroner's Court that she believed the infection had been fully treated and it was "safe" to stop the antibiotics.

Addressing the court, Dr. Midwinter said she felt "so sorry" for not continuing the medication. Her testimony came during the third day of a second inquest into Callums death. The first inquest in 2018 was followed by a High Court order for a new inquiry to examine his medical care more thoroughly at the familys request.

The ENT specialist explained that she first attended to Callum after he was admitted to Chesterfield Royal Hospital on 17 November 2013. He had a history of recurring infections from a young age, the court heard. Paediatricians initially suspected meningitis, an infection of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, and started antibiotics, which initially improved his condition.

Dr. Midwinter said she reviewed Callums notes on 18 November, assuming the paediatrics team had completed treatment and were transferring responsibility to her care. As the records no longer mentioned meningitis, she believed the infection had been resolved.

Upon examination, Callum appeared generally well, though Dr. Midwinter noticed left-side facial paralysis, indicative of cholesteatoma, a growth in the middle ear that required removal. During surgery, she cleared infected tissue and pus, believing the infection had been fully addressed and it was appropriate to stop antibiotics. She noted that halting antibiotics after such procedures was standard practice but admitted she now "deeply regrets" doing so.

"I wish I could turn back time and act differently," she told the court. "Ive learned a great deal about meningitis since then and, in hindsight, I shouldnt have stopped the antibiotics. I am truly sorry."

When asked whether she should have consulted the paediatrics team before ending treatment, Dr. Midwinter acknowledged she should have and apologized. She admitted she did not explore alternative explanations and was overly confident in her assessment of the situation.

Callum was discharged on 19 November but returned to the emergency department three days later in an unconscious state. He was transferred to Sheffield Children's Hospital, underwent multiple surgeries, but never regained consciousness. By February 2014, doctors determined no further treatment could save him.

Paediatrician Dr. Steve Conway testified that it was probable Callum would have survived had he continued to receive antibiotics. Jurors are now reviewing the evidence to reach a conclusion in the inquest.

Author: Noah Whitman