Heartbroken Family Call For Change In The NHS

The parents of a 14-year-old girl who died following a battle with cystic fibrosis want to bring a ‘sea change’ in the National Health Service after her treatment was deemed unfit at a medical tribunal.

The person responsible for the teenager’s care was a 67-year-old doctor who had been treating the girl since 1994.

The girl’s parents, from Woking, said that the treatment was not down to making mistakes but ‘wilful neglect’.

A General Medical Council tribunal was held earlier this month to look into the teenager’s death in May 2008. The panel identified that the doctor had also mistreated another cystic fibrosis patient and that he was unfit to practise. He has now been suspended for misconduct for 12 months.

It has been alleged as an adult physician the doctor wrongly believed he was capable of treating someone with specific CF paediatric requirements. In addition, he has been accused of providing inadequate care and consistently breaching necessary standards for both CF patients.

Despite the admittance of negligence, the girl’s parents remain unhappy with the procedures, stating that they felt there was still no accountability and they were disillusioned by the justice system. They now want to ensure that something positive comes out of their daughter’s death and that a change is made so that the NHS puts patients and families first and not the people who work within it.

The girl’s mother added that her daughter had been discharged from hospital a week before she died and that week had been very uncomfortable for her. She said: “My daughter’s last words were simply, ‘help’ “.

The teenager’s parents said that no one should have to suffer so much before they die. They are also seeking clinical negligence compensation in relation to the case.

The doctor was not available to comment on the matter.

Published 11th February 2015.