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Parents continue ‘quest for truth’ after inquest into baby's death Parents continue ‘quest for truth’ after inquest into baby's death Parents continue ‘quest for truth’ after inquest into baby's death
(about 4 hours later)
The parents of a premature baby have said they will continue to seek the truth following an inquest into his death.The parents of a premature baby have said they will continue to seek the truth following an inquest into his death.
Ben Condon was born at 29 weeks at Southmead hospital in Bristol on 17 February last year and spent seven weeks being cared for in the paediatric intensive care unit.Ben Condon was born at 29 weeks at Southmead hospital in Bristol on 17 February last year and spent seven weeks being cared for in the paediatric intensive care unit.
He returned home to Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, with his parents, Allyn and Jenny Condon, on 7 April but began coughing and sneezing two days later.He returned home to Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, with his parents, Allyn and Jenny Condon, on 7 April but began coughing and sneezing two days later.
The infant was taken to Weston general hospital and transferred to Bristol Royal Hospital for Children after becoming lifeless and struggling to breathe on 10 April.The infant was taken to Weston general hospital and transferred to Bristol Royal Hospital for Children after becoming lifeless and struggling to breathe on 10 April.
Ben died on 17 April after developing acute respiratory distress syndrome mostly likely caused by human metapneumovirus (hMPV), a fairly common infection in children.Ben died on 17 April after developing acute respiratory distress syndrome mostly likely caused by human metapneumovirus (hMPV), a fairly common infection in children.
His parents believe Ben should have been given antibiotics in the days leading up to his death but Avon coroner’s court heard this would not have prevented it.His parents believe Ben should have been given antibiotics in the days leading up to his death but Avon coroner’s court heard this would not have prevented it.
Speaking after Maria Voisin, senior coroner for Avon, reached a narrative conclusion following a two-day inquest, Allyn Condon said: “We still have many unanswered questions and continue to seek for the truth.Speaking after Maria Voisin, senior coroner for Avon, reached a narrative conclusion following a two-day inquest, Allyn Condon said: “We still have many unanswered questions and continue to seek for the truth.
“The picture that has emerged from the inquest is still a very confusing one. In over a year of meetings and correspondence with the trust we were never given a consistent account of what happened during Ben’s treatment. There are clear inconsistencies that need to be resolved.“The picture that has emerged from the inquest is still a very confusing one. In over a year of meetings and correspondence with the trust we were never given a consistent account of what happened during Ben’s treatment. There are clear inconsistencies that need to be resolved.
“Our quest for the truth continues. We are haunted by the fact that if Ben had been treated any differently Ben would still be with us today.”“Our quest for the truth continues. We are haunted by the fact that if Ben had been treated any differently Ben would still be with us today.”
Condon, a former Olympic sprinter, said the family were considering what further action to take. His wife added: “It has destroyed us. It destroyed me losing Ben but this has destroyed me even more. They are evil.”Condon, a former Olympic sprinter, said the family were considering what further action to take. His wife added: “It has destroyed us. It destroyed me losing Ben but this has destroyed me even more. They are evil.”
Ben was taken to hospital on 10 April after he developed a cough and was struggling to breathe, with his temperature measuring just 33.7C. He was given preventative antibiotics for the next three days until doctors diagnosed the hMPV virus, and therefore could not be treated with antibiotics.Ben was taken to hospital on 10 April after he developed a cough and was struggling to breathe, with his temperature measuring just 33.7C. He was given preventative antibiotics for the next three days until doctors diagnosed the hMPV virus, and therefore could not be treated with antibiotics.
“The consultant nurses reassured us that he just had a cold and he would start to pull through. We felt that everyone was dismissive of us,” Mr Condon told the inquest.“The consultant nurses reassured us that he just had a cold and he would start to pull through. We felt that everyone was dismissive of us,” Mr Condon told the inquest.
Ben’s condition worsened and doctors believed a secondary infection could be present, with X-rays showing a change in his lungs on 15 April. His parents said they were repeatedly assured that Ben, who weighed 5lbs (2.3kg), would be given antibiotics.Ben’s condition worsened and doctors believed a secondary infection could be present, with X-rays showing a change in his lungs on 15 April. His parents said they were repeatedly assured that Ben, who weighed 5lbs (2.3kg), would be given antibiotics.
Ben was prescribed antibiotics at 3pm on 17 April but these were not administered until 8pm. By that time he had suffered a cardiac arrest and doctors were carrying out life-saving treatment. He died at 9.07pm, having suffered a second cardiac arrest.Ben was prescribed antibiotics at 3pm on 17 April but these were not administered until 8pm. By that time he had suffered a cardiac arrest and doctors were carrying out life-saving treatment. He died at 9.07pm, having suffered a second cardiac arrest.
Dr Ian Jenkins, a consultant in paediatric anaesthesia and intensive care, told the inquest he would have given Ben antibiotics as a preventative measure on 16 April.Dr Ian Jenkins, a consultant in paediatric anaesthesia and intensive care, told the inquest he would have given Ben antibiotics as a preventative measure on 16 April.
“My position would be that had I been there I probably would have started antibiotics,” Jenkins said. But he said Ben’s death could not have been prevented with antibiotics.“My position would be that had I been there I probably would have started antibiotics,” Jenkins said. But he said Ben’s death could not have been prevented with antibiotics.
Dr Duncan Macrae, consultant in paediatric intensive care at the Royal Brompton hospital, said he would also have administered antibiotics earlier.Dr Duncan Macrae, consultant in paediatric intensive care at the Royal Brompton hospital, said he would also have administered antibiotics earlier.
“I think I’d just want to make sure there wasn’t a 5% improvement that could be achieved by giving him five to seven days of antibiotics if we could support him for that time,” he said.“I think I’d just want to make sure there wasn’t a 5% improvement that could be achieved by giving him five to seven days of antibiotics if we could support him for that time,” he said.
Macrae said it should have been possible to administer the antibiotics prescribed at 3pm to Ben before 8pm, when they were given, despite life-saving treatment. However, he added: “I don’t think it would have made any difference.”Macrae said it should have been possible to administer the antibiotics prescribed at 3pm to Ben before 8pm, when they were given, despite life-saving treatment. However, he added: “I don’t think it would have made any difference.”
Voisin said Ben’s death was caused by acute respiratory distress syndrome, hMPV and prematurity.Voisin said Ben’s death was caused by acute respiratory distress syndrome, hMPV and prematurity.