Inquest into the Death of Child KT (Name Subject to Suppression Order)

7y · Male·cardiorespiratory failure in a child with cerebral palsy and epilepsy, with acute respiratory deterioration on a background of chronic respiratory disease secondary to cerebral palsy

Child KT (Vinnie), age 7, died of cardiorespiratory failure from cerebral palsy and epilepsy after a prolonged hospital admission. He had complex medical needs including chronic respiratory disease, requiring PEG feeding and multiple medications. After a severe respiratory event in 2015 requiring ICU admission and ventilation, a palliative care plan was established with a 'not for resuscitation' order agreed by medical staff, foster parents, and biological mother. His final admission in October 2016 involved multidisciplinary care including respiratory, palliative care, and complex care teams. He deteriorated progressively and died comfortably with family present. The coroner found care and supervision to be of very high standard. The primary administrative issue was the initial failure to report his death to the coroner as a reportable death of a child in care, which was identified and corrected through departmental review processes.