Teenage boy died in a Victorian hospital after an allergic reaction to a mouthful of hospital food, despite staff knowing his allergies.
Louis Tate, 13, was admitted to Frankston Hospital on October 22, 2015 following an asthma attack and died the next day after an anaphylactic reaction to the hospital’s breakfast food, reports 7 news.
“I thought because he was in hospital, the medical staff would know exactly how to take care of him,” mum Gabrielle Catan told Tuesday’s opening of an inquest into Louis’s death.
Louis was severely allergic to milk, nuts and eggs, and carried an EpiPen to treat allergic reactions wherever he went, reports ABC news.
The circumstances of his death are being investigated in the Coroners Court of Victoria.
His mother, Gabrielle Catan, told the inquest that she alerted hospital staff to her son’s allergies and told them he should have Weetbix and soy milk for breakfast.
Speaking outside court, his father, Simon Tate, said the family was still looking for answers.
“We continue to struggle every day with the emptiness, loss and circumstances surrounding his death,” he said.
“We strongly believe Louis’ death never should have happened. He was in hospital, at a place where he should have been safe.
“Yet despite us providing clear and concise communications about his food allergies, he died.
“Our hope is that this inquest not only provides us with the many answers we need and deserve, but that it closely examines food safety and anaphylaxis management protocols at Frankston Hospital.”
More details to come…
What can you do?
If your child suffers a severe allergy ensure anyone that cares for your child has a clear understanding of allergens and that they are trained if necessary to handle emergencies.
Regularly check that they have the correct medicine on hand and that it is not out of date.
If you feel it is necessary send a note home to parents in your child’s class to make them aware of how severe your child’s allergy is and what they can do to help keep him safe at school.
In June we shared that Children with allergies are either being tricked or forced into eating food they can’t tolerate by school bullies. Read more HERE.
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