Mum of Chesterfield boy, 3, who died of sepsis criticises 'chaotic' hospital care
The mother of a three-year-old boy who died from Sepsis has told the inquest into his death that he was not given antibiotics early enough and doctors failed to recognise the condition.
Oscar Neillings died at Chesterfield Royal Hospital on 8 November 2023 after contracting a Strep A infection.
At the inquest into his death at Chesterfield Coroner's Court on Wednesday, jurors were told Oscar developed a cold about a week before his death from which he never recovered.
As his symptoms worsened, his parents called 111 twice in the days leading up to his death and he was given appointments with two separate out-of-hours GPs.
Both doctors said he had a viral infection and did not think he needed to be referred to hospital, the court was told.
Oscar continued to deteriorate, suffering from abdominal pain, vomiting, and breathing difficulties.
On the morning of 8 November he had a GP appointment in the morning, where an ambulance was called and he was taken to Chesterfield Royal Hospital.
He died there at 5.24pm after suffering a cardiac arrest.
Giving evidence to the inquest, Oscar's mother Stephanie Neilling paid tribute to her son, saying he was "so full of life, I think that's why its so hard to believe he's gone."
She said: "His personality was infectious. He had confidence I could only dream of."
Ms Neillings also criticised the care he had been given, both by the second out-of-hours GP and at the hospital.
She said she thought something should had been done after the second appointment, telling the court: 'It's madness how he was sent home diagnosed with a viral infection but obviously in pain.'
She said at the hospital no-one recognised that Oscar had sepsis and described the care he received as "chaotic" with a lack of communication and leadership.
Ms Neillings told the court: "It was so unorganised - I didn't know what was going on."
She added: "There was a lack of leadership – no-one took control throughout the day. He didn't get the antibiotics when he needed them, they missed their timescales for that."
Doctors who cared for Oscar, both before and during his time in hospital, are due to give evidence to the inquest.
It is expected to last until Friday 23 May.
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The mother of a three-year-old boy who died from Sepsis has told the inquest into his death that he was not given antibiotics early enough and doctors failed to recognise the condition. Oscar Neillings died at Chesterfield Royal Hospital on 8 November 2023 after contracting a Strep A infection. At the inquest into his death at Chesterfield Coroner's Court on Wednesday, jurors were told Oscar developed a cold about a week before his death from which he never recovered. As his symptoms worsened, his parents called 111 twice in the days leading up to his death and he was given appointments with two separate out-of-hours GPs. Both doctors said he had a viral infection and did not think he needed to be referred to hospital, the court was told. Oscar continued to deteriorate, suffering from abdominal pain, vomiting, and breathing difficulties. On the morning of 8 November he had a GP appointment in the morning, where an ambulance was called and he was taken to Chesterfield Royal Hospital. He died there at 5.24pm after suffering a cardiac arrest. Giving evidence to the inquest, Oscar's mother Stephanie Neilling paid tribute to her son, saying he was "so full of life, I think that's why its so hard to believe he's gone." She said: "His personality was infectious. He had confidence I could only dream of." Ms Neillings also criticised the care he had been given, both by the second out-of-hours GP and at the hospital. She said she thought something should had been done after the second appointment, telling the court: 'It's madness how he was sent home diagnosed with a viral infection but obviously in pain.' She said at the hospital no-one recognised that Oscar had sepsis and described the care he received as "chaotic" with a lack of communication and leadership. Ms Neillings told the court: "It was so unorganised - I didn't know what was going on." She added: "There was a lack of leadership – no-one took control throughout the day. He didn't get the antibiotics when he needed them, they missed their timescales for that." Doctors who cared for Oscar, both before and during his time in hospital, are due to give evidence to the inquest. It is expected to last until Friday 23 May.
