The parents of a four-year-old boy who died of sepsis after allegedly being told to take Calpol are hoping to get answers at an upcoming inquest.
Lindita Alushi and Kastriot Klosi took their son Daniel to the Royal Free Hospital in Camden, London, four times in the week before his death but were constantly discharged.
During the second and third visits, the couple says doctors advised them to give their son Calpol and ibuprofen.
On the fourth visit, Daniel, who had autism, was admitted to the children’s emergency department with sepsis, but died hours later.
His mother Lindita, a pharmacy assistant and qualified doctor in her native Albania, said: ‘Daniel was the most adorable little boy and we were so lucky that he was our son.
Lindita Alushi said of her son Daniel: ‘Daniel was the most adorable little boy and we were so lucky that he was our son’
Daniel’s parents took him to the Royal Free Hospital in Camden, London, four times in the week before his death, but he was always discharged. Pictured here, Daniel in hospital during one of the family’s visits.
‘She loved cooking and baking with me.
‘He loved animals, listening to stories and playing with his friends. Daniel was very curious and inquisitive. He was an absolute delight.
‘We are still struggling to understand what happened to Daniel and why.
‘We kept taking him to the hospital and we were really worried about his condition, but nothing can prepare you for being told your little one has died.
“That day our family changed forever. Our days are filled with anguish, emptiness and sadness.”
The couple have enlisted the help of specialist medical negligence solicitors Irwin Mitchell and the inquest into Daniel’s death is due to begin on 13 August at Poplar Coroner’s Court.
The inquest is expected to last two days and the family hopes it will provide some much-needed answers.
Lindita, 44, added: ‘While time has passed, it has stood still for our family because of the many unanswered questions about what happened to Daniel.
‘Every day we wonder if more could have been done to save our little one.
“We know that hearing it all again at the inquest will be incredibly difficult, but it is something we must do to honor our son and get the answers we have been seeking for over a year.”
Daniel’s parents first took him to the Royal Free Hospital A&E on 26 March 2023, where he was sent home just a couple of hours later.
Four days later they returned to the hospital concerned about Daniel’s breathing and he was discharged early the next morning.
During the second and third visits, the couple say doctors advised them to give their son, who was suffering from sepsis, Calpol and ibuprofen. Pictured here, Kastriot Klosi plays with Daniel
The inquest is expected to last two days and the family hopes it will provide some much-needed answers.
The couple continued to worry about Daniel, who they said had stopped eating, and took him in the next day, where they were sent home again.
They returned again with Daniel around 4 pm that same day, where after approximately four hours in the emergency room, he was admitted.
However, his condition worsened and he died in the early hours of the following day, Sunday, April 2.
Lucy Macklin, the medical negligence lawyer representing the couple, said: ‘Trying to come to terms with Daniel’s death and the events leading up to it has been incredibly difficult for Lindita and Kastriot.
Understandably, you still have many questions and concerns about the care your son received and Daniel’s death.
‘While nothing can ever make up for Daniel’s death, we are determined to support his loved ones so that they can at least receive the vital answers they deserve.
‘This research is an important milestone in being able to do this.
‘If any problems are identified during the course of the hearing in the care Daniel received, it is vital that lessons are learned to improve the safety of the patient and others.’
A Royal Free London spokesperson said: ‘We are deeply saddened by Daniel’s death and would once again like to send our sincere condolences to his family.
‘We have conducted an investigation into the care received by Daniel and the findings have been shared with his family.
“We are awaiting the outcome of the investigation.”
