Death of 6-Year-Old Sparks Investigation into NHS Trust
A six-year-old girl’s tragic death from sepsis has prompted an investigation into whether an NHS trust failed to do enough to save her life. The coroner will examine the actions of clinicians who treated Maya Siek at Margate’s Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital (QEQM) in December of last year.
Despite collapsing twice and her mother’s insistent concerns that something was gravely wrong, Maya was discharged from the hospital with a diagnosis of tonsillitis. Tragically, just two days later, she succumbed to sepsis.
During a hearing at Maidstone’s Archbishop’s Palace, northeast Kent coroner Sarah Clarke ruled that an Article 2 inquest would be conducted. This type of investigation involves an enhanced examination into the circumstances surrounding the young girl’s death.
The legal team representing East Kent Hospitals Trust, which oversees QEQM, argued that the tragedy did not meet the necessary threshold for an Article 2 inquest. However, their submissions were dismissed by Ms Clarke, who went on to identify the clinicians who will be called as witnesses.
Earlier this year, hospital authorities apologized for inappropriately discharging Maya and pledged to learn from an independent report on her death.
An Article 2 inquest, named after the right to life provision in Article 2 of the Human Rights Act, will enable the coroner to conduct an in-depth investigation into whether enough was done to protect Maya’s life.
Present at the hearing were Maya’s mother, step-father, and uncle. In an effort to spare the family the emotional burden of reliving the events surrounding the six-year-old’s passing during the anniversary period, the full inquest has been scheduled for January 22nd, 23rd, and 24th.
This investigation seeks to shed light on the circumstances surrounding Maya’s tragic death and determine whether the NHS trust could have done more to save her life. The outcome of the Article 2 inquest will provide valuable insights into the actions taken by healthcare professionals and potentially lead to improvements in patient care.
While the coroner investigation proceeds, it is essential to remember the young life that was lost and to ensure that all necessary steps are taken to prevent similar tragedies in the future. The focus now is on gathering the facts and understanding any systemic issues that may have contributed to Maya’s untimely demise.
The heartbreaking case of Maya Siek reminds us of the importance of vigilance when it comes to identifying and treating serious conditions like sepsis. It serves as a somber reminder for healthcare providers to always prioritize patient safety and to listen carefully to family concerns. Through the lessons learned from this tragedy, steps can be taken to prevent such heartbreaking events from occurring again in the future.
