Jail negligent doctors, say girl’s parents

The family of a five-year-old girl who died after a ‘catalogue of errors’ said today that the doctors who failed to spot her deadly infection should face criminal charges and prison.

Ayema Malik, who had a rare blood disorder, was left screaming in pain in a cubicle at the Central Middlesex Hospital, west London, as doctors allegedly told her parents she had chicken pox.

In fact she had an infection similar to meningitis. Just hours later her organs shut down and she died after a cardiac arrest, despite medics allegedly denying that her condition was critical.

A General Medical Council hearing into her treatment by consultant Gerald Hanson and registrar Nivedita Bajaj, who have faced a string of allegations about the care they gave in March 2007, heard that they could have saved the girl by doing more detailed checks.

It also heard that she could have been transferred to intensive care at St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, where she was being treated for her blood disorder.

Instead mother Dhiba and father Akhtar said they were told they could take her home and “all would be fine”. Just hours later she died, two months before a potentially life-saving operation. Today Mrs Malik, 38, from north-west London, told the Standard: “Ayema was in so much pain. I couldn’t even recognise my own daughter as her face was so swollen.”

“We feel so much anger. At one point I considered finishing myself but then I thought of my two sons.”

Ayema had been taken to hospital with a fever, given penicillin for a viral infection then discharged. That evening she collapsed at home and was rushed back to the hospital. Mrs Malik claimed Dr Bajaj told the family she had chicken pox and could be released.

“I knew it wasn’t true as she’d been inoculated,” said Mrs Malik. “I told Dr Bajaj of Ayema’s condition but she didn’t want to keep her in the hospital.” She alleged Ayema got no medical attention as her condition deteriorated.

Mr Malik, 45, said: “For a child to die in doctors’ hands like this is shocking negligence. This was a catalogue of errors. They should be jailed. Struck off is not enough.”

Dr Bajaj has admitted to mistakes during “very busy” conditions in A&E but denied diagnosing chicken pox or failing to take sufficient action.

On-call consultant Mr Hanson has admitted that the gravity of the situation “escaped” him but he denies failing to give Dr Bajaj clear and specific advice. The hearing continues.

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply