GMC investigates baby death

Connor Inckle died of a rare heart defect

The family of a baby boy who died because of a rare heart condition have denied they were advised about possible treatments.

Michelle Inckle, from Lincoln, claims her 12-day-old son's death could have been prevented if he had been operated on.

Mrs Inckle says a consultant at Glenfield General Hospital in Leicester did not tell her about the existence of a specific type of surgery.

Consultant Ranjit Ukwatte Leanage is appearing before the General Medical Council charged with serious professional misconduct.

Michelle Inckle requested Connor's medical notes

Mrs Inckle's son died in October 1997 because of a rare heart condition, HLHS, which incorrectly mixes oxygenated blood.

She says she was told nothing could be done to save her baby.

Connor Inckle was sent to Glenfield Hospital for a second opinion after being admitted to Lincoln hospital on 3 October 1997.

He was seen there by Dr Leanage and his condition was confirmed as HLHS.

Mrs Inckle said she, her husband and her parents were then called to a room where Dr Fiona White, from Lincoln County Hospital, broke the news.

"She said Connor had a serious problem with the left side of his heart and there was nothing they could do," Mrs Inckle told the hearing.

He died the next day.

We had no options, no hope, only the blunt words 'there's nothing that can be done'

Richard Lilley, Connor's grandfather

Shortly after her son's death Mrs Inckle read a newspaper article about surgery that corrects the condition.

The hearing heard she then contacted the hospital and requested her son's medical notes.

Mark Stephen Lomass, for the GMC, said that when Mrs Inckle saw the notes there was an entry by Dr Leanage saying "discussed with parents at length treatment options and full prognosis of condition".

But he had not seen the parents or discussed treatment options with them, the hearing was told.

Serious condition

Paul Allen, for Dr Leanage, told Mrs Inckle: "Dr Leanage claims he had a conversation with you in that room about Connor and then left before Dr White arrived.

"He accepts he may not have adopted best practice in failing to identify himself to you.

"But he did tell you that he had bad news and that the left side of Connor's heart was effectively missing. He said that there were surgical options and treatment but did not think they were advisable in Connor's case."

Mrs Inckle denied forgetting that conversation.

She said: "I have never seen him before in my life."

'No hope'

Mrs Inckle's father, Richard Lilley, also told the hearing that the family had not spoken to Dr Leanage.

"I don't even know what he looks like, we've never seen him," he said.

"We had no options, no hope, only the blunt words 'there's nothing that can be done'.

"Connor is going to die was the only statement we got from medical persons."

The hearing is expected to last three days.

Doctor Ranjit Leanage denies not discussing the options and telling a doctor to advise the parents there were no treatments.

Glenfield Hospital said it was unable to comment until after the case.