PASSAGE ONE OF THE DAY: "The parents explained how there were "no alarm bells" when they brought Claire to the Royal hospital for what they thought was "just a tummy bug". Her death was not referred to the coroner immediately and her parents, Alan and Jennifer Roberts, had never really understood why she had died. The inquest heard from 10 expert medical witnesses over four days of hearings this week. On Thursday, her mother told the inquest the Belfast Health Trust had shown her family "no empathy" since then. Her husband Alan said the trust had refused every opportunity to be "open and honest" with their family."
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PASSAGE TWO OF THE DAY: "The 14-year Hyponatraemia Inquiry, chaired by Sir John O'Hara QC, examined the treatment of five children who died in Northern Ireland hospitals between 1995 and 2003. Sir John concluded that four of the deaths were avoidable and said some medical witnesses who were called to give evidence "had to have the truth dragged out of them". Claire, from east Belfast, was admitted to hospital two days before her death, with symptoms that included vomiting and drowsiness."
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STORY: "Hyponatraemia: Claire Roberts' death 'caused by hospital treatment'," by Reporter Kevin Sharkey, published by BBC News (Northern Ireland) on June 21, 2019.
GIST: The death of a nine-year-old girl in Belfast's Royal Hospital for Sick Children in 1996 was caused by treatment she received in hospital, an inquest has found. Claire Roberts' death was examined by the Hyponatraemia Inquiry. But a new inquest was ordered after the chair of the inquiry said there had been a cover-up to "avoid scrutiny". The Belfast Trust said it would "carefully consider the coroner's conclusions and recommendations". It said it would "ensure that the trust learns from Claire's death". The inquest heard from 10 expert medical witnesses over four days of hearings.
The coroner, Joe McCrisken, said he considered, on balance, that an "overdose" of fluids contributed to her death. Speaking outside court, Claire's family thanked the coroner for reaching his verdict.
Her father Alan said that it was "reaffirming what we have known for 15 years". "The
travesty of all of that is we had to go through a 15-year process
culminating in a Coroner's Court and him being definitive about the
cause of death." He added: "We as Claire's parents have a clear
message for the Belfast Trust, the implicated doctors and the chief
medical officer Dr Michael McBride - hang your heads in shame." 'Truth dragged out' Her mother, Jennifer, said she knew Claire "would be proud of her mummy and daddy". "But it's a word that I want to hear today, her say to me, 'mummy, thank you, I love you'." The 14-year Hyponatraemia Inquiry, chaired by Sir John O'Hara QC, examined the treatment of five children who died in Northern Ireland hospitals between 1995 and 2003. Sir
John concluded that four of the deaths were avoidable and said some
medical witnesses who were called to give evidence "had to have the
truth dragged out of them". Claire, from east Belfast, was
admitted to hospital two days before her death, with symptoms that
included vomiting and drowsiness. 'No empathy'. The
parents explained how there were "no alarm bells" when they brought
Claire to the Royal hospital for what they thought was "just a tummy
bug". Her death was not referred to the coroner immediately and
her parents, Alan and Jennifer Roberts, had never really understood why
she had died. The inquest heard from 10 expert medical witnesses over four days of hearings this week. On Thursday, her mother told the inquest the Belfast Health Trust had shown her family "no empathy" since then. Her husband Alan said the trust had refused every opportunity to be "open and honest" with their family."
The entire story can be read at:
The entire story can be read at:
PUBLISHER'S NOTE: I am monitoring this case/issue. Keep your eye on the Charles Smith Blog for reports on developments. The Toronto Star, my previous employer for more than twenty incredible years, has put considerable effort into exposing the harm caused by Dr. Charles Smith and his protectors - and into pushing for reform of Ontario's forensic pediatric pathology system. The Star has a "topic" section which focuses on recent stories related to Dr. Charles Smith. It can be found at: http://www.thestar.com/topic/charlessmith. Information on "The Charles Smith Blog Award"- and its nomination process - can be found at: http://smithforensic.blogspot.com/2011/05/charles-smith-blog-award-nominations.html Please send any comments or information on other cases and issues of interest to the readers of this blog to: hlevy15@gmail.com. Harold Levy: Publisher: The Charles Smith Blog;
