15-month-old Olly Stopforth found dead after being discharged from hospital, inquest hears

Granada Reports correspondent Rob Smith reports from Warrington

A three-day inquest into the death of 15-month-old Olly Stopforth, who was found dead in bed just days after being discharged from hospital, opened on Monday, 8 January.

Olly's parents first became concerned when his cold turned into a high temperature and a pin prick rash. They initially gave him Calpol but his symptoms worsened.

By the following day, the rash had spread across his face and torso. His temperature was high and Olly was very lethargic.

A video call with the family’s GP resulted in a possible diagnosis of a viral illness and advice to continue giving Calpol and Ibuprofen. Olly’s rash continued to spread, his temperature remained high, and he was making grunting noises with laboured breathing.

An ambulance was called later that day and the paramedics conducted a detailed assessment of Olly. They recorded a temperature of 40 degrees and a heart rate of 207, recognising that these were grossly abnormal results.

A very brief examination, conducted at a distance, took place when Olly was eventually moved to a ward. He was discharged less than four hours later with a diagnosis of a viral illness with the advice to continue with Calpol and Ibuprofen.

The doctors and nurses involved in Olly’s care that day failed to realise and act on the seriousness of his condition. His medical notes recorded that he was bright and not working hard to breathe normally, which the family disputes.

Olly was found dead in his bed by his mum at 12.15am on 23 March 2020, less than 48 hours after being discharged.

Forty-year-old mum Laura Stopforth, from Frodsham in Cheshire, told an inquest at Cheshire Coroner’s Court: "Olly was such a lively, energetic, happy boy and a lovely younger brother to our eight year old son Finley who desperately misses him.

"I cannot describe the trauma and disbelief that followed finding our baby boy Olly had passed away in his sleep less than 48 hours after being discharged with what we were led to believe was something relatively minor.

"Finley does not understand why his little brother is no longer with us. He regularly tells us that he feels lonely and is being provided with counselling support in school. This should not have happened. The medical staff simply didn’t seem interested in finding out what was really happening to Olly and our little boy has lost his life as a result."

Representing the family at the inquest, medical negligence solicitor Diane Rostron, commented: "Olly lost his life because the doctors and nurses who were trusted with his care that day neglected to investigate what was causing his obvious symptoms, and failed to treat the serious illness from which he was suffering.

"He was clearly very unwell by the time he was taken by ambulance that day, as had been correctly identified by the paramedics, but this urgent situation was not treated as such and he had to wait in the emergency department for several hours.

"No attempt was made to identify the source of his illness. No blood or urine tests were undertaken. We believe that Olly had scarlet fever, his presentation was in keeping with this illness. Antibiotics would have saved his life."

The Countess of Chester Hospital has admitted liability. The consultant in charge on the day of Olly’s admission will have separate legal representation at the inquest.

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