An 'affectionate and bubbly' little boy died after contracting Strep A. Lucas Charles Hurst, six, tragically passed away on July 17 last year.
His mother Rachel Lee had taken him to their GP, and A&E, two days prior after he developed a cough and a fever. He was diagnosed, an inquest in Manchester heard, with a viral infection and was sent home in the early hours.
Lucas was rushed back to Wythenshawe Hospital the following day having become 'profoundly unwell'. Sadly, he went into cardiac arrest and couldn't be resuscitated.
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Manchester Coroners' Court later heard he was found to have developed pneumonia and sepsis following a 'rare', severe and invasive bacterial commonly known as Strep A. Lucas' death was 'not avoidable', a hospital review found.
A coroner concluded he died of 'natural causes'. Following the hearing, Ms Lee said: "Lucas was an affectionate and bubbly little boy, who loved making friends and talking to people everywhere he went. He will be missed by all of his family and friends, as well as his teachers at school."
Assistant coroner John Hobson heard Lucas began to feel unwell some time on July 12 or 13 last year. Ms Lee rang Conway Road Medical Practice in Sale, on the morning of July, 15.
She told staff he had a 'bunged up' nose, saying she feared he may have a sinus infection. A face-to-face appointment was booked.
Lucas was examined and a prescription was provided. Later that day, his mother rang 111 and said his cough had developed into a 'barking cough' and that he was 'not interested at all in food and drink'.
Lucas was taken the paediatric A&E department at Wythenshawe Hospital just after 11.30pm. He was triaged and given paracetamol to help bring his temperature down.
He was in the 'very busy' department for six hours, 45 minutes before being seen by a doctor, the hearing was told. Nursing staff said Lucas was monitored and was 'playful and alert between some periods of sleep', though did have some episodes of vomiting after coughing.
A doctor diagnosed him as suffering from a 'viral upper respiratory tract infection and secondary rash'. Lucas' mum was told to keep her son hydrated, before he was discharged in the early hours of Saturday, July 16. Ms Lee was told to return with Lucas if his condition worsened.
He had not vomited for over three hours at the point of discharge and his mother was 'happy for him to be discharged after being seen by the doctor', ward sister Kayleigh Bird said in a statement read in court.
Lucas 'perked up' a little that day, but by Sunday morning his condition had deteriorated. His mother rang 111 before rushing him back to casualty.
On arrival, he was 'profoundly unwell'. Senior medics were called in. One said Lucas, whose father was also with him, appeared to be in septic shock.
A number of interventions were made, but he went into cardiac arrest. Despite 'extensive' resuscitation attempts, Lucas' death was confirmed at 3.35pm.
A pathologist concluded his cause of death was 'Group A Streptococcal pneumonia and sepsis'.
Dr Lesley Watson, a consultant in emergency medicine at Wythenshawe Hospital who was involved in a review of the case said that when Lucas presented at A&E on July 15 his 'symptoms were not consistent with strep throat at that time.'
Increased prevalence of invasive cases of Strep A were not reported until December of last year, she added.
Mr Hobson said the review by the hospital trust found Lucas' death was 'not avoidable' and that his discharge on July 16 'appeared appropriate.' They did however identify 'learnings', which he said he would write to the trust about.
He offered her his 'sincere condolences' as he concluded Lucas died of natural causes.
The inquest was dealt with on a documentary basis, with no witnesses being called to give evidence. Lucas' mother Rachel was present at the hearing via videolink, represented in court by Maya Patel from Fletchers Solicitors.
A spokesperson for the emergency department at Wythenshawe said: "We strive to provide the best care possible for our patients, and the death of Lucas Charles Hurst was tragic. Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones at this time and we are deeply sorry for their loss."
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