Death investigated at troubled children’s ward

The tragic death of 13-year-old Chloe Longster has sparked an investigation by the care regulator into Kettering General Hospital’s Skylark ward, which has faced ongoing safety concerns. Chloe, who had no serious underlying health conditions, was admitted to the hospital on November 28, 2022, experiencing chest pain and flu-like symptoms. Sadly, she died just one day later, reportedly due to a failure by clinicians to recognize and treat the signs of sepsis.

Sepsis, a life-threatening condition resulting from the body’s extreme response to infection, can escalate quickly if not addressed promptly. Despite the seriousness of her condition, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) was not notified of Chloe’s death until three weeks after the incident, which raised questions about the hospital’s protocols. The CQC had conducted a visit to the hospital just one week after Chloe was admitted, highlighting further concerns regarding communication and accountability.

A spokesperson for the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire acknowledged that Chloe’s death should have been reported more swiftly to the CQC. This lack of timely communication has prompted the regulator to liaise closely with the hospital trust to fully understand the circumstances surrounding the case and determine whether regulatory action is necessary. In instances where individuals are harmed or placed at risk, the CQC has the authority to prosecute organizations or individuals involved.

The timeline of events has raised significant alarm. Kettering General Hospital did not inform the CQC about Chloe’s death until after an unannounced inspection of the Skylark ward and the pediatric emergency department on December 6 and 19, 2022. Following this inspection, CQC inspectors issued a warning notice citing severe concerns over patient safety, including inadequate sepsis treatment, insufficient staffing levels, unhygienic conditions, and a culture that discouraged staff from raising issues without fear of repercussions.

Julie Hogg, the chief nurse at the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire NHS Group, expressed condolences to Chloe’s family, acknowledging the “tragic loss” and admitting that there were failings in the care provided. “We started our investigation processes in the hours after Chloe’s death, culminating in our national reporting in December 2022. We acknowledge this could have been done more quickly,” Hogg stated.

An independent review of children’s services at Kettering General Hospital, commissioned in the same month that Chloe was admitted, indicated a significant lack of training focused on quality improvement and learning from incidents. The review, conducted by the East Midlands Clinical Senate, noted that while the trust frequently referenced action plans and risk registers, many of these measures appeared to be poorly followed or incomplete.

Furthermore, the review highlighted a troubling absence of evidence regarding patient outcomes and audits that are typically expected in healthcare settings. Over 50 families have come forward to express serious concerns about the care their children received at Kettering General Hospital. Among them is the mother of one-year-old Jorgie Stanton-Watts, who died from sepsis in 2016, prompting a major police inquiry.

In May 2024, following the scrutiny of its pediatric services, the CQC upgraded the assessment of children’s and young people’s services at Kettering General Hospital from “inadequate” to “requires improvement.” This upgrade reflects ongoing efforts to address systemic issues within the hospital, though the tragic circumstances surrounding Chloe’s death underscore the urgent need for continued oversight and reform.

Chloe Longster’s inquest is set to begin on Monday and is expected to last one week. The investigation aims to uncover the full details surrounding her death and the conditions within the hospital at the time, with hopes of ensuring that such tragedies are prevented in the future.

As the hospital and the regulatory bodies navigate the aftermath of this tragedy, the emphasis must remain on enhancing patient safety, improving communication, and fostering a culture that prioritizes transparency and accountability in healthcare settings. The heart-wrenching loss of a young life serves as a call to action for all stakeholders to work collaboratively towards a safer and more compassionate healthcare system.