Mother's anger over asthma death

Owen collapsed and died at the health centre

The mother of an eight-year-old boy who died from an asthma attack has told a hearing she is "disgusted" at the standard of care given by their GP.

Dr Julie Mallon denies 11 charges of serious professional misconduct and causing the death of Owen Charleston by not treating him properly in 2002.

Michelle Hynes, 38, accused Dr Mallon of treating her son worse than a dog.

Miss Hynes was giving evidence to the General Medical Council about a visit to a health centre in Cumbernauld.

Dr Mallon is also accused of lying at a fatal accident inquiry.

Owen died during a second visit to the Central Health Centre in Cumbernauld on 19 August 2002.

I would not have treated a dog the way that we were treated that day Owen's mother Michelle Hynes

On the first visit he was having a severe asthma attack but the doctor interpreted it as an anxiety attack, treated him at the surgery and sent him home.

Less than a week earlier the boy had been admitted to Yorkhill Children's Hospital in Glasgow, from the same surgery, during an asthma attack.

After a fatal accident inquiry at Airdrie Sheriff Court, Sheriff Robert Dickson found that if steps had been taken to admit Owen again to Yorkhill he might not have died.

He also found that Dr Mallon deliberately misled the inquiry in her evidence.

'Patronising' behaviour

Giving evidence at the hearing in London, Miss Hynes accused the GP of "patronising" and "condescending" behaviour during their visit.

She said: "I was totally disgusted, I was appalled. I would not have treated a dog the way that we were treated that day.

"She was not taking us seriously at all, she was not interested and we were being dismissed. I was so scared."

Cumbernauld Health Centre, where Owen was seen

Miss Hynes claimed Dr Mallon had later addressed Owen saying "you have just had a wee stooshie", an expression Miss Hynes had taken to mean a "turn".

Owen's mother said she had been "deeply offended" that the doctor could describe an asthma attack as a "wee stooshie".

"I was disgusted and absolutely from the bottom of my heart revolted at the way we were treated," Miss Hynes said.

The hearing continues.