Doctors failed to seize opportunities to prevent the death of a teenager

Medical professionals failed to act on critical moments that could have saved a 14-year-old boy who passed away from meningitis, an inquest revealed. Callum Hubbard died on 8 February 2014 at Sheffield Children's Hospital after collapsing several months following an earlier ear surgery.

The teenager, from Dronfield in Derbyshire, had been admitted urgently by paramedics days after doctors stopped his antibiotic treatment post-operation. A jury concluded that decisions made by both the paediatric and ENT (ear, nose, and throat) teams at Chesterfield Royal Infirmary likely played a role in his death.

This was the second inquest into Callums death. The first took place in 2018, but the family requested a fresh investigation, and the High Court agreed to re-examine the circumstances of his treatment.

The court heard that Callum had a long history of recurrent ear infections. On 5 November 2013, he was evaluated at Chesterfield Hospital for an ear infection and referred for surgery to remove a cholesteatoma, a growth in the middle ear. He had been receiving care at Chesterfield Royal Infirmary since 2011.

After surgery, Callum experienced a stiff neck, headaches, and difficulty eating and drinking. His parents returned to the hospital on 14 November, but were told to wait four days for a CT scan. Jurors found that doctors missed a chance to reassess his condition during this visit.

Before the scan, Callum was brought to the Emergency Department, where paediatric doctors suspected meningitis and started him on antibiotics. His condition temporarily improved, but the following day he was taken to the ENT department for surgery, and communication between the two departments was lacking. The jury found this lack of coordination likely contributed to his death.

After surgery, Callum was discharged and his antibiotics were stopped. Jurors stated that his death could likely have been avoided if treatment had continued. At home, his condition worsened and, despite calls to the hospital, he was only scheduled for an emergency appointment the next day. He collapsed overnight and was rushed to Chesterfield Hospital, then transferred to Sheffield Children's Hospital, where he remained until his death three months later.

Derbyshire's senior coroner reported that Callum died from meningitis encephalitis, hydrocephalus, and severe hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, indicating brain damage caused by fluid buildup and inflammation from infection.

Following the inquest, Callums family described him as a "shy boy with a big smile" and expressed relief that the inquiry brought accountability. They said, "His absence leaves a permanent void, but his spirit lives on in our memories and the moments we continue to cherish."

Author: Olivia Parker