Novia Delima
PFD Report
Historic (No Identified Response)
Ref: 2018-0112
Coroner's Concerns (AI summary)
Emergency Department demand prevented meeting triage targets, early paediatrician involvement for very young children was not ensured, and on-call consultants were not called despite significant demand.
View full coroner's concerns
July 17th triage. from
; 1. The Trust had adopted the Manchester triage system but due to demand on the ED the time identified through the triage system could not be met: The Manchester triage tool is widely used but the inquest heard that often across EDs the targets set by the triage tool are not met;
2. The inquest heard that very young babies present significant challenges in diagnosis and early clinical input by a clinician experienced in dealing with young children was important: The trust had brought in significant changes to how it dealt with paediatric cases in ED since the death of Novia: This includes early clinical involvement of a paediatric clinician for babies between 0-6 months due to their recognition of challenges of diagnosis in very young children. The inquest heard that not all trusts, nationally, have systems that ensure very young children are seen by a paediatrician at an early stage particularly in an OOH situation.
3.on the night in question the inquest heard that a consultant was on call for ED but was not called in despite the significant in ED: The inquest heard that the ED on call consultant arrangements meant that wait times would not in themselves trigger on call consultants asked to attend the hospital:
; 1. The Trust had adopted the Manchester triage system but due to demand on the ED the time identified through the triage system could not be met: The Manchester triage tool is widely used but the inquest heard that often across EDs the targets set by the triage tool are not met;
2. The inquest heard that very young babies present significant challenges in diagnosis and early clinical input by a clinician experienced in dealing with young children was important: The trust had brought in significant changes to how it dealt with paediatric cases in ED since the death of Novia: This includes early clinical involvement of a paediatric clinician for babies between 0-6 months due to their recognition of challenges of diagnosis in very young children. The inquest heard that not all trusts, nationally, have systems that ensure very young children are seen by a paediatrician at an early stage particularly in an OOH situation.
3.on the night in question the inquest heard that a consultant was on call for ED but was not called in despite the significant in ED: The inquest heard that the ED on call consultant arrangements meant that wait times would not in themselves trigger on call consultants asked to attend the hospital:
Sent To
- Department of Health and Social Care
- Mayor of Greater Manchester
- NHS England
Response Status
Linked responses
0 of 3
56-Day Deadline
12 Aug 2018
About PFD responses
Organisations named in PFD reports must respond within 56 days explaining what actions they are taking.
Source: Courts and Tribunals Judiciary
Report Sections
Investigation and Inquest
On 27th 2016 | commenced an investigation into the death of Novia Emilia Delima. The investigation concluded on the April 2018 and the conclusion was one of narrative: Died of the recognised complications of sepsis contributed to by neglect The medical cause of death was Neonatal Herpes Simplex (Type II), E coli septicaemia CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH Novia Emilia Delima'$ mother brought her to Tameside General Hospital on 2Sth July 2016 at 01:48 because she had two episodes of blood in her nappies, was sleepy and not feeding properly: At 02.03 Novia was triaged using the Manchester triage tool: The system identified her as orange category requiring she see a doctor within 10 minutes: Ajunior doctor saw her about 05.35,three and a half hours after In the intervening period basic observations but no tests were carried out and no treatment commenced. Further blood had been seen in the nappy-On examination, blood was seen coming from the rectum: Transfer was made to the Paediatric department; Novia arrived there at 06.30,four and a half hours after her arrival at Tameside General Hospital. She was very unwell. Sepsis was identified: Treatment was given including antiviral and antibiotic medication: Novia continued to deteriorate and died at 12.03 at Tameside General Hospital. She had died a combination of neonatal herpes simplex ad E coli septicaemia: CORONER'S CONCERNS July 17th triage. from
During the course of the inquest the evidence revealed matters giving rise to concern: In my opinion, there is a risk that future deaths will occur unless action is taken. In the circumstances, it is my statutory duty to report to you; The MATTERS OF CONCERN are as follows:
1. The Trust had adopted the Manchester triage system but due to demand on the ED the time identified through the triage system could not be met: The Manchester triage tool is widely used but the inquest heard that often across EDs the targets set by the triage tool are not met;
2. The inquest heard that very young babies present significant challenges in diagnosis and early clinical input by a clinician experienced in dealing with young children was important: The trust had brought in significant changes to how it dealt with paediatric cases in ED since the death of Novia: This includes early clinical involvement of a paediatric clinician for babies between 0-6 months due to their recognition of challenges of diagnosis in very young children. The inquest heard that not all trusts, nationally, have systems that ensure very young children are seen by a paediatrician at an early stage particularly in an OOH situation.
3.on the night in question the inquest heard that a consultant was on call for ED but was not called in despite the significant in ED: The inquest heard that the ED on call consultant arrangements meant that wait times would not in themselves trigger on call consultants asked to attend the hospital: ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN In my opinion, action should be taken to prevent future deaths and | believe you have the power to take such action. YOUR RESPONSE You are under a duty to respond to this report within 56 of the date of this report, namely by ISth June 2018 L,the coroner, may extend the period: Your response must contain details of action taken or proposed to be taken, setting out the timetable for action: Otherwise you must explain why no action is proposed
During the course of the inquest the evidence revealed matters giving rise to concern: In my opinion, there is a risk that future deaths will occur unless action is taken. In the circumstances, it is my statutory duty to report to you; The MATTERS OF CONCERN are as follows:
1. The Trust had adopted the Manchester triage system but due to demand on the ED the time identified through the triage system could not be met: The Manchester triage tool is widely used but the inquest heard that often across EDs the targets set by the triage tool are not met;
2. The inquest heard that very young babies present significant challenges in diagnosis and early clinical input by a clinician experienced in dealing with young children was important: The trust had brought in significant changes to how it dealt with paediatric cases in ED since the death of Novia: This includes early clinical involvement of a paediatric clinician for babies between 0-6 months due to their recognition of challenges of diagnosis in very young children. The inquest heard that not all trusts, nationally, have systems that ensure very young children are seen by a paediatrician at an early stage particularly in an OOH situation.
3.on the night in question the inquest heard that a consultant was on call for ED but was not called in despite the significant in ED: The inquest heard that the ED on call consultant arrangements meant that wait times would not in themselves trigger on call consultants asked to attend the hospital: ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN In my opinion, action should be taken to prevent future deaths and | believe you have the power to take such action. YOUR RESPONSE You are under a duty to respond to this report within 56 of the date of this report, namely by ISth June 2018 L,the coroner, may extend the period: Your response must contain details of action taken or proposed to be taken, setting out the timetable for action: Otherwise you must explain why no action is proposed
Circumstances of the Death
Novia Emilia Delima'$ mother brought her to Tameside General Hospital on 2Sth July 2016 at 01:48 because she had two episodes of blood in her nappies, was sleepy and not feeding properly: At 02.03 Novia was triaged using the Manchester triage tool: The system identified her as orange category requiring she see a doctor within 10 minutes: Ajunior doctor saw her about 05.35,three and a half hours after In the intervening period basic observations but no tests were carried out and no treatment commenced. Further blood had been seen in the nappy-On examination, blood was seen coming from the rectum: Transfer was made to the Paediatric department; Novia arrived there at 06.30,four and a half hours after her arrival at Tameside General Hospital. She was very unwell. Sepsis was identified: Treatment was given including antiviral and antibiotic medication: Novia continued to deteriorate and died at 12.03 at Tameside General Hospital. She had died a combination of neonatal herpes simplex ad E coli septicaemia:
Action Should Be Taken
In my opinion, action should be taken to prevent future deaths and | believe you have the power to take such action.
Inquest Conclusion
1. The Trust had adopted the Manchester triage system but due to demand on the ED the time identified through the triage system could not be met: The Manchester triage tool is widely used but the inquest heard that often across EDs the targets set by the triage tool are not met;
2. The inquest heard that very young babies present significant challenges in diagnosis and early clinical input by a clinician experienced in dealing with young children was important: The trust had brought in significant changes to how it dealt with paediatric cases in ED since the death of Novia: This includes early clinical involvement of a paediatric clinician for babies between 0-6 months due to their recognition of challenges of diagnosis in very young children. The inquest heard that not all trusts, nationally, have systems that ensure very young children are seen by a paediatrician at an early stage particularly in an OOH situation.
3.on the night in question the inquest heard that a consultant was on call for ED but was not called in despite the significant in ED: The inquest heard that the ED on call consultant arrangements meant that wait times would not in themselves trigger on call consultants asked to attend the hospital: ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN In my opinion, action should be taken to prevent future deaths and | believe you have the power to take such action. YOUR RESPONSE You are under a duty to respond to this report within 56 of the date of this report, namely by ISth June 2018 L,the coroner, may extend the period: Your response must contain details of action taken or proposed to be taken, setting out the timetable for action: Otherwise you must explain why no action is proposed
2. The inquest heard that very young babies present significant challenges in diagnosis and early clinical input by a clinician experienced in dealing with young children was important: The trust had brought in significant changes to how it dealt with paediatric cases in ED since the death of Novia: This includes early clinical involvement of a paediatric clinician for babies between 0-6 months due to their recognition of challenges of diagnosis in very young children. The inquest heard that not all trusts, nationally, have systems that ensure very young children are seen by a paediatrician at an early stage particularly in an OOH situation.
3.on the night in question the inquest heard that a consultant was on call for ED but was not called in despite the significant in ED: The inquest heard that the ED on call consultant arrangements meant that wait times would not in themselves trigger on call consultants asked to attend the hospital: ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN In my opinion, action should be taken to prevent future deaths and | believe you have the power to take such action. YOUR RESPONSE You are under a duty to respond to this report within 56 of the date of this report, namely by ISth June 2018 L,the coroner, may extend the period: Your response must contain details of action taken or proposed to be taken, setting out the timetable for action: Otherwise you must explain why no action is proposed
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Data sourced from Courts and Tribunals Judiciary under the Open Government Licence.