A six year old boy has died of sepsis after medics failed to recognise the condition, and failed to resuscitate him after they mistakenly believed he had a ‘do not resuscitate order’.

Jack Adcock was admitted to Leicester Royal Infirmary in 2011 with pneumonia. He had Down’s syndrome and a heart condition

His condition seriously deteriorated when he developed sepsis, an inflammation triggered by infection.

It is alleged that the medical professionals caring for Jack failed to notice that his body was shutting down.

Criminal charges have been pressed and the trial is currently underway.

At Nottingham Crown Court, Prosecutor Andrew Thomas said Jack’s condition was not properly monitored, and that the signs of sepsis – including high levels of gas and lactate in the blood – were not acted upon.

He claimed that Jack’s death was caused by serious neglect.

Jack went on to suffer a cardiac arrest, but the doctor called off a resuscitation attempt because she believed he had a ‘do not resuscitate order’.

Resuscitation began a few minutes later after another clinician checked the notes and realised a mistake had been made. Sadly it was too late and Jack could not be saved.

The doctor in question denies manslaughter due to negligence, and two nurses deny manslaughter by gross negligence.

Blood poisoning death

If your loved one has died of sepsis or blood poisoning due to medical error, please get in touch with our solicitors to find out what action you can take.

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