A toddler died from meningitis three days after he was turned away from a medical centre to see a doctor, an NHS inquiry found.
The mother of three-year-old Obed-Edom Bans was later phoned by a nurse, who instead prescribed the children’s medicine Calpol and antibiotics, even though he had an emergency card as a sickle-cell sufferer.
He soon became seriously ill and three days later was rushed from his home in New Addington, Croydon, to St George’s Hospital in Tooting, South London, where he died from meningitis in October last year.
The NHS report said: ‘If the child had been seen by a doctor he may have been referred immediately to hospital as he had sickle cell disease and a sudden onset of fever.
‘Nurse M didn’t take an appropriate history or access relevant information about the existing illness.
Since the incident, the nurse has been ordered to be supervised and take up extra training, but remains employed.
Obed’s mother Akua Bans, 46, told the Daily Mirror: ‘His temperature was very high. It was obvious something was wrong.
‘They could have saved him. Obed loved everybody and everybody loved him.’
Obed’s father, Kwadwo Danquah, 45, continued: ‘The nurse never asked questions. She should be fired.’
Health officials in Croydon, South London, launched an inquiry into Obed’s death last November.
A spokesman for NHS Croydon said at the time: ‘We are treating this case as a serious untoward incident.’
The boy’s family had taken Obed to Fieldway Medical Centre in New Addington on October 19 last year, after his temperature rose and he began shivering.
But staff could not make him an appointment for seven days.
Mrs Bans said: ‘It was obvious something was wrong, but they would not see him – even though I was showing his emergency card.
‘If he was checked that day, they could have saved him, but he died before the appointment they gave him.’
She added that a nurse phoned later to say they could issue a Calpol prescription, but they ‘still would not see him.’
Three days later, Obed, who had a twin brother Benjamin, was found unconscious at his New Addington home.
He was rushed by ambulance to St George’s Hospital in Tooting, but died there on October 23. A post mortem found he died from meningitis.
Amelia Lyons, a spokeswoman for NHS Croydeon said in November: ‘NHS Croydon wishes to extend their deepest sympathy to the family of three-year-old Obed-Edom Bans following his sudden death last month.’
This is a story from last year It is disgusting that a little boy with an existing blood disorder is ignored No Dr’s aren’t gods but they should have the skills to know when someone has meningitis ? They dismiss mothers concerns too easily I was a nurse, so I am not talking without experience It definitely isn’t an isolated case they say Dr’s are the worse patients, they are also the same with their families and expect the best they should regard all families the same they aren’t privilege Thats why they are Dr’s equal care for all sadly that isn’t the case,a family Doctor used to mean that but not anymore Obed-Edom left behind his mother Akua, 45, father Danquah, 43, twin brother Benjamin and sisters Sandra, 11, Jennifer, 17, Grace, 21 and Agnes, 24. R.I.P young blood
@Miyagi, u seem to noe dis family. its very sad that in our world today money is valued more than a person’s precious life i mean i noe money is needed but couldnt they have gone outta their way to help the child de lil boy is dead are they happy with their work? MY CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY…
@hey,Yeah I do and it’s really sad
Honestly, this is what i think. Straight up, they asked her to go home because she was black, why am i saying this, my mom is seriously sick here, and has been to a few doctors appointment, what do they tell her. sorry we cant take care of you because you dont have insurance. nonsense. cuz of insurance a person should die. but when other white people go for their appointments, they are taken care of,, regardless of whether you have insurance or not. God help us.
This reminds me a lot. i lost a dear one to this same disease in England as well. Its been a while but it feels like yesterday.
May the little boy’s soul rest in perfect peace.
Litlle Edward, rip.Am sure u r smiling wherever u r.My condolence to the family.God be with y’all.