Inquiry demand over asthma death

Owen and his mother Michelle

A woman whose son died in a health centre after an asthma attack says she wants a fatal accident inquiry "to make sure this doesn't happen again".

Owen Charleston, from Cumbernauld, died after being taken for a second time to town's Central Health Centre by his mother Michelle Hynes.

Ms Hynes said her concerns had been "dismissed" by staff and Owen's medical history ignored.

Speaking at a news conference in Glasgow, she said: "Owen is now an angel but there are thousands of parents with children suffering from asthma and I want to make sure that this doesn't happen again."

Kids don't need to die from asthma if it's treated properly

Michelle Hynes

Owen had only recently developed asthma and was taken to hospital during severe attacks on two occasions this year.

Ms Hynes recalled how she had left her work on 19 August to take Owen to the centre after he complained of chest pains.

She said that when she asked for her son to be given oxygen, the normal procedure in severe asthma attacks, she was told none was available.

'Panic attack'

A doctor diagnosed the problem as a "panic attack" and gave him medication.

Back home, his condition worsened and Ms Hynes called Yorkhill Children's Hospital in Glasgow for advice as she thought he needed an ambulance.

The hospital said she should contact her GP.

Yorkhill Hospital, which was asked for advice

She took Owen back to the centre where he was given oxygen and an ambulance was called.

He was taken to Monklands Hospital in Airdrie where he was pronounced dead.

Her solicitor, Fiona Sasan, said they were asking the procurator fiscal to hold an inquiry into how Owen died and if mistakes were made in his treatment.

Her Member of the Scottish Parliament, Andrew Wilson, said it was vital that an FAI was held so that such a tragedy could never be repeated.

'Tragic circumstances'

Mr Wilson said: "A young life has been lost in the most needless and tragic circumstances.

"The family are being remarkably strong through all of it.

"What they want and deserve now is a clear explanation of exactly how this tragedy occurred."

Ms Hynes, said: "Kids don't need to die from asthma if it's treated properly.

It is rare for a child to die of an asthma attack

Marjory O'Donnell
National Asthma Campaign Scotland

"There are guidelines set down for GPs and anyone treating children or adults with asthma.

"If they don't follow these, then other children and other adults will die and I don't want anyone else to suffer from this. I don't want anybody else's life to be torn apart."

A spokesman for South Lanarkshire Primary Health Care NHS Trust said: "We are sorry to hear about this terrible tragedy.

"We have not received any complaints from the family, but will co-operate with any inquiry should the family wish to complain."

'Confidential inquiries'

The director of the National Asthma Campaign Scotland, Marjory O'Donnell, said: "It is rare for a child to die of an asthma attack.

"It makes Owen Charleston's death all the more tragic."

She called for "confidential inquiries" into all asthma deaths to help prevent such tragedies happening again.