Inquest opens into death of four-year old boy from Nottingham

An inquest has opened into the death of a four year old boy from Nottingham, who died two days after leaving the Queen's Medical Centre with severe dehydration.

Harry was initially taken to his GP at Greenwood medical practice in Sneinton in Nottingham on 18th June 2014. His father Richard Clements told the coroner he'd been suffering from vomiting and diarrhoea for several days and had lost weight and become lethargic.

The GP diagnosed Harry with gastroenteritis and advised his parents to keep giving him liquids and paracetamol if necessary and to return two days later, Mr Clements said.

This time he was seen by another GP who said he should be admitted to hospital.

Harry had severe autism and developmental delay and was not able to communicate verbally. Mr Clements told the court that he became extremely agitated in unfamiliar surroundings.

When he was admitted to the children's assessment centre on the 20th June, his father said numbing cream was put on Harry's arms and ankles in preparation for intravenous fluids and blood tests. He claims these never happened - and that around 8pm he took his son home to sleep.

The medical notes stated it was "against medical advice" but that they were told to return the following day which they did. This time he was weighed and discharged. The inquest continues .