Oliver Hiscutt

On 9 October 2012 an inquest was opened into the death of Oliver George Hiscutt; aged 2 years 11 months. The inquest concluded on 19 March 2014. The medical cause of death was: Ia. Catastrophic Haemorrhage Ib. Retropharyngeal infection eroding into major artery Ic. Group A beta haemolytic streptococcal infection. Oliver Hiscutt's death was due to natural causes:

On Friday 21st September 2012 the deceased was unwell with a suspected cold: He subsequently developed a rash and was taken to his GP on 24th September 2012 where a viral infection was diagnosed: By 26th September he had developed a stiff neck with reduced movement: There was also swelling to the neck observed by his parents_ He presented to the Emergency Department at Wythenshawe Hospital where neck stiffness was noted He was assessed and discharged with a diagnosis of viral tonsillitis_ Over the next four days he did not improve with regular paracetamol. By 3Oth September 2013 his parents felt that he had deteriorated too much to wait for a GP appointment and again attended at the Emergency Department of Wythenshawe Hospital: He was commenced on IV antibiotics and admitted t0 the ward. A two history of neck swelling and neck pain was noted: peritonsilar abscess was queried but ENT review concluded that there was no abscess present, He showed some improvement during his admission and was changed to oral antibiotics and discharged home on 2 October 2012. On Znd October 2012 Group A beta-haemolytic Streptococcus had been found in blood cultures and a throat swab. By 4th October 2012,he had deteriorated at home_ He was less and appeared to be holding food in his mouth before spitting it out; On the morning of 5 October 2012 his mother discovered a large volume of vomit on his bed and pyjamas containing fresh and old blood clots. He was taken to the Emergency Department of Wythenshawe Hospital where he was readmitted and started on IV antibiotics swelling_in the left side of the neck was identitied.His City day eating clarity of speech deteriorated and he appeared to be in pain if moving his jaw: He developed an underbite and his jaw was protruding_ He developed drooling and had difficulty swallowing: At approximately 6.00 am on 7 October he suddenly woke up and vomited a large amount of fresh blood from his mouth and nose. He had a cardiac arrest at which time he was resuscitated: He was transferred to theatre where the bleeding was stopped. He suffered a further cardiac arrest and, despite resuscitation, life was pronounced extinct at 9.30am. At post mortem it was discovered that the deceased had retropharyngeal abscess which is entirely in keeping with the complications of a Group A beta-haemolytic streptococcal infection: An arterial structure with a completely necrotic wall was identified within the infected tissues, from where it is Iikely that the catastrophic haemorrhage originated:

In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and believe you and your organisation have the power to take such action.