Express & Star

Boy's Stafford Hospital death probed

An investigation has been launched into the unexpected death of a three-year-old boy at the former Stafford Hospital after a staff member claimed that it was covered up.

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Youngster Jonnie Meek died on August 11 last year – three hours after arriving at Weston Road for a pre-booked appointment. A coroner ruled the young boy's death was down to natural causes brought on by pneumonia.

But parents John Meek and April Keeling from Bevan Lee Road in Cannock, believe their son, who suffered from a rare congenial disability, de Grouchy syndrome, died as a result of a reaction to a new feed put directly into his stomach.

Now, after the couple used Freedom of Information powers to obtain official records from the health trust's internal probe into the death, healthcare assistant Lauren Tew has claimed a false statement was made in her name.

The document stated Jonnie suffered a cardiac arrest, which Ms Tew denies ever saying.

Jonnie's parents have also claimed further statements claiming the youngster had previous cardiac arrests and was admitted to hospital on another occasion because he was critically ill, were untrue.

Stafford and Surrounds Clinical Commissioning Group have said an investigation has been launched into the matter. Staffordshire Police has also commissioned an independent review.

Andrew Donald, chief officer at Stafford and Surrounds Clinical Commissioning Group, said: "I would like to take the opportunity to offer my sincere condolences to the family of Jonnie Meeks. We have met with the family involved in this case and agreed with them a set of detailed actions in relation to the complaint they had made. Those actions have all been implemented. One of those actions was to set up an independent clinical review, which is ongoing. Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust which was in charge of the former Stafford Hospital was dissolved in November.

University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust which now runs the site – renamed as County Hospital – has launched its own internal probe but has postponed it until the CCG review is complete.

Last night, Mr Meek said: "The inquest is not closure for us because the verdict was based on lies. Losing him was bad enough but they are walking all over his memory. We just want the truth and they are trying to cover it up."

Mrs Meek said: "We haven't been able to grieve for our little boy because we have to keep fighting."

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