Government apologises for NHS failings over death of baby boy from Cornwall

The government has apologised after a report found multiple failings in the NHS meant a seriously ill baby boy from Cornwall died. One-year-old William Mead died of the blood infection sepsis. His mother says there needs to be a country-wide public health campaign into the illness.

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Government apology after NHS helpline missed chance to save one-year-old boy

The Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has apologised to the family of one-year-old William Mead from Cornwall who died of sepsis after an NHS non-emergency helpline failed to recognise the severity of his illness.

Mr. Hunt said the case showed the issues raised in the case had significant implications for the whole of the NHS.

The Health Secretary also said the NHS England report showed there were several areas where the NHS where the NHS missed opportunities to treat William Mead including:

  • Primary care and GP appointments made by William's family
  • Out-of-hours calls with their GP
  • The NHS 111 Service

The report said if better action had taken place at these stages the one-year-old would probably have survived.

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