The parents of a four-year-old boy, who passed away from sepsis, have received both an apology and a confidential financial settlement from a north London hospital where he was admitted four times within a week.
Daniel Klosi tragically died at the Royal Free Hospital in Camden on April 2, 2023, after his symptoms were overlooked during three prior visits.
His mother, Lindita Alushi, shared with BBC London that while the apology and settlement “cannot compensate for the loss of a child,” she felt “relieved” that the hospital recognized errors were made in managing Daniel’s care.
A hospital spokesperson expressed their “deep sorrow” regarding Daniel’s death while he was under their care and assured that corrective actions have been implemented.
An inquiry conducted at East London Coroner’s Court in August revealed that Daniel was “likely” in a septic state when he was assessed by medical professionals shortly before he passed away.
The coroner concluded that, although the doctors failed to diagnose the sepsis in Daniel, the trust was not deemed neglectful of its responsibilities.
Sepsis occurs when the immune system overreacts to an infection, leading it to attack its own tissues and organs.
Ms. Alushi, a resident of Kilburn, stated that while the investigation into her son’s treatment exposed both individual and systemic failures, it boiled down to one crucial issue: “we were not heard as parents.”
“Our worries were disregarded,” she remarked. “Vital observations were not completed, and we were left waiting for hours—particularly during the final visit—despite Daniel’s visible decline in the waiting area. He was attended to far too late.”
During the inquiry, the coroner highlighted that Daniel, who was autistic, presented with an “atypical manifestation of sepsis,” pointing to a “lack of comprehension” regarding the needs of neurodivergent children.
Ms. Alushi, who is a qualified doctor in Albania, expressed her hope that “valuable lessons can be learned.”
“Such preventable fatalities should not occur,” she added.
Lucy Macklin, a lawyer representing Daniel’s parents, emphasized that the case was about seeking “justice for Daniel,” although she acknowledged that “no financial compensation can bring back a child.”
She expressed hope that the Royal Free London Trust would act on the recommendations made by the coroner in her report aimed at preventing future deaths.
Ms. Macklin further noted, “It’s crucial for people, especially parents, to recognize that not all signs and symptoms of sepsis will be evident at once. If you have any concerns that it could be sepsis, seek emergency medical advice. Don’t hesitate to ask the doctors, ‘could it be sepsis?’—it could truly make a difference.”
In response, a spokesperson for the Royal Free London Trust confirmed: “After a comprehensive investigation, we pinpointed several areas needing improvement and have taken immediate steps to address these concerns.
“This includes enhancing training and raising awareness among all our staff, particularly regarding the treatment of children who frequently attend our emergency departments; caring for children with learning disabilities; and prioritizing the importance of listening to parents and caregivers when they express concerns.”
**How to identify sepsis in young children**
The NHS recommends urgent attention—either by visiting A&E or calling 999—if a child under five shows signs of infection along with any of the following symptoms:
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