Clodagh Bradley QC acts for family of Shante Turay-Thomas in anaphylaxis inquest

Clodagh Bradley QC, instructed by Jill Paterson & Thomas Jervis of Leigh Day, acted for the family of 18-year old Shante Turay-Thomas, who died of acute anaphylaxis after her mother called NHS 111 and waited almost an hour on an ambulance.  The Coroner identified a catalogue failures in this high profile Article 2 inquest with nationwide implications, including the discrepancy between call prioritisation in respect of anaphylaxis for NHS 111 calls compared to 999 calls, inadequacies in the training of NHS 111 call handlers and inadequacies in the prescribing of Emerade adrenaline auto-injector pens and training in their use.

The Coroner concluded that Shante would not have died had:

1) she been given appropriate training from her GPs about carrying 2 adrenaline pens

2) she been prescribed the correct dose of 500 mcg for each pen, not one of 300 mcg,

3) the NHS 111 call handler followed the correct ‘pathway’ and saved her location to send the ambulance to the correct address

4) NHS Digital categorised anaphylaxis as a category 1 priority.

The Coroner outlined 18 matters of concern which she will be detailing a Prevention of Future Deaths report (expected next week) directed at various bodies, including the GP practice, Bausch & Lomb, London & Central West (NHS 111), NHS Digital, NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care.

Jan 2020 press at conclusion of inquest:

Press during course of evidence 11/12/19:

Press during course of evidence on 4/11/19: