Hospital criticised over care for toddler who died

A hospitals trust has been criticised for its care of a 19-month-old girl who died of a rare brain condition.

Raisa Cristina Iordan died on 30 November 2023 after she was diagnosed with meningoencephalitis, which causes swelling of brain tissue.

Raisa was taken to Dewsbury and District Hospital 18 days before her death with what was initially suspected to be a viral illness, before later being transferred to Sheffield Children's Hospital when the seriousness of her condition was discovered.

The Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust, which runs Dewsbury, said it was "deeply sorry" for Raisa's death.

A prevention of future deaths report by assistant coroner Charlotte Keighley said the hospital "missed opportunities to escalate" Raisa's care.

The report said a doctor's assessment of the toddler was "limited" and of "poor quality" and that a radiologist had incorrectly reported that a brain scan showed she had no inflammation.

The coroner said Raisa had been discharged by the hospital on the afternoon of 12 November, before returning later that evening after becoming "less responsive" and "shaking".

Keighley wrote that a junior doctor raised concerns about the girl's symptoms, but that these were "ignored" by the more senior doctor in charge.

The report added that the doctor was "unwilling to consider" the views of his colleagues and that he wrongly believed Raisa was having seizures caused by a high temperature.

The report said medics initially concluded there was "no convincing evidence" from the CT scan of problems with Raisa's brain.

However, when the same scan was reviewed by Sheffield Children's Hospital, "obvious" proof of brain tissue having shifted from its normal position was found.

Richard Robinson, chief medical officer at the Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS trust, said: "We are deeply sorry for the tragic death of Raisa and our thoughts remain with her family.

"We recognise the issues raised by the coroner and are reflecting carefully on them.

"Learning events were held following Raisa's death to understand where improvements to care were needed, and this work has already led to progress being made."

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