Coroner: Teenager's death could have been avoided if 'red flags' heeded

Clinicians at Whipp’s Cross Hospital in East London missed “red flags” which should have prompted senior medical review of Karlysle Bryan, senior coroner Nadia Persaud said in her report, which was published yesterday.

She concluded that his death was a result of natural causes contributed to by neglect.

Karlysle was sent to Whipp’s Cross Hospital in East London on 20 October last year by his GP after four days of vomiting, lethargy and dehydration. His GP advised that he should be taken to hospital straight away.

He was assessed in the accident and emergency department by a junior sister and a specialty registrar.

In her report Ms Persaud, found “the clinical records do not contain any clear recording of vital signs; no paediatric early warning score and no history or observations by the nurse”.

She added: “Red flags which should have required senior medical review were missed.”

Karlysle was discharged but returned to hospital the next morning in cardiac arrest and died a few hours later. He died from peritonitis and acute appendicitis with perforation.

Ms Pernaud concluded that had Karlysle been admitted the day before, when he first arrived at the A&E, “it is likely that his death would have been avoided”.

A spokesman for Barts Health Trust, which runs Whipp’s Cross Hospital, said: “The trust would like to pass our sincere condolences to the family of Karlysle Bryan. We deeply apologise that the care provided fell below the high standards that our patients deserve.

“In 2014 the trust immediately held a thorough investigation and we acted quickly to improve, to ensure that patients are safe to be discharged, including repeating tests on patients who initially hadabnormal observations and fully involving senior specialists when discharging children.”