Boy, 11, died of heart failure after doctor thought he only had chest infection

'Chances were missed and that's what hurts.'

An 11-year-old boy died of heart failure after a trainee doctor sent him home from A&E in the mistaken belief he was suffering with a chest infection, an inquest heard.

Clayton Hague-Winterbottom’s enlarged heart was picked up on a chest X-Ray, but Dr Rida Fatima discharged him from Royal Oldham Hospital.

Dr Fatima used Google to research Clayton’s condition before focusing on his lungs after finding out the youngster’s GP had previously diagnosed a chest infection.

She also failed to examine his swollen legs – an indicator of potential heart problems – or take blood tests. Clayton’s condition deteriorated and he collapsed less than 48 hours after arriving back home in Greater Manchester on April 3 last year.

Coroner Lisa Judge recorded a verdict of death by natural causes contributed to by neglect and ‘gross failures’ in his care.

She told Rochdale Coroners’ Court: ‘The X-Ray report identified the enlarged heart however this was not recognised by Dr Fatima at this time.

‘She also did not examine Clayton’s legs at any time during the consultation and focused her concerns on a potential chest infection and that’s an error.

‘She has expressed her sorrow and has been considerably affected by the care she afforded to Clayton. But a referral to paediatrics should have occurred and had it happened investigations would have revealed heart abnormalities and Clayton would have survived.

‘Instead he was discharged home under the care of children’s community nursing team and his condition deteriorated. There were a number of things that should have been done differently.’

Dr Fatima broke down in tears and apologised to Clayton’s family as she gave evidence at the inquest.

She sobbed: ‘I am so sorry for everything you have had to go through.’

The doctor added: ‘I can only apologise for not noticing the heart – I am so sorry.

‘My conclusion was Clayton likely had an ongoing chest infection. I didn’t specifically look at the heart but I did look at his lungs.

‘I think the obvious point now when I look at any imaging is that I don’t let a previous diagnosis cloud my assessment.’

Dr Fatima had only finished her degree at Sheffield University less than two years earlier and had not long started her Year 2 foundation year at the hospital.

Senior consultant cardiologist Dr Timothy Gray said treatment for the youngster ‘could have been put in place’ had the enlarged heart been spotted.

The youngster’s prognosis would have been ‘poor in both the long-term and the medium-term’, but ‘on the balance of probabilities’ he would have survived, he added.

Dr Gray branded Dr Fatima’s examinations ‘inadequate’ and lamented the absence of ‘routine diagnostics’.

Clayton’s family said in a statement following the conclusion of the inquest: ‘To say we are devastated is the upmost understatement.

‘The fact our special boy is no longer here, and should be, says it all. He was at the hands of medical professionals whom we all put our trust in everyday but he was failed and we have been given a life sentence of heartache.

‘Clayton wasn’t just any 11-year-old boy, he was, and will remain our very special boy.

‘He was boisterous, confident and a law unto himself. He commanded any room he entered, and people had no choice but to love every aspect of his being, no matter the challenges it brought.

‘The effects of the gross misconduct and neglect has left the biggest hole along with the pain of the trauma from that day. Chances were missed and that’s what hurts.

‘Clayton was born with needs but everyone who knows Clayton, knew given a chance he would have thrived and still be with us today.’