Coroner raising hospital concerns

Michael McCallum, 13, of Warren Crescent, died at Antrim Area Hospital after surgery in January 2005.

The teenager's brain was starved of oxygen during an operation to remove his appendix.

The coroner for Greater Belfast, John Leckey, will raise his concerns with the appropriate health authorities.

Mr Leckey ruled the teenager was starved of oxygen after his breathing circuit became trapped between the operating table and the transfer trolley.

After a five-day hearing, the coroner said he would be sending his findings to the relevant medical authorities to ensure such a tragedy never happens again.

Mr Leckey said: "I have concerns that there seems to be a general failure in hospitals to engage in risk assessment exercises.

"There seems to be questions about the adequacy of training of those using equipment and this particularly refers to junior members of staff."

"We are confident that we have removed the risk of such a tragic accident occurring in the future at Antrim Area Hospital"
United Hospitals Trust

The teenager's father, Roger McCallum, said the inquest had thrown up a number of issues, including training.

"I think training seems to be, in the words of somebody, a little bit haphazard, in relation to anaesthetists. I think that has to be looked at," he said.

Mr McCallum said he was satisfied with the outcome of the inquest but that the family would be liaising with their legal team to see if there are further steps to take.

Bernard Mitchell, who was chief executive of the United Hospitals Trust at the time of the incident, said they had apologised to the family.

New systems

He said: "There are serious lessons that we have to take on board, about the training of our staff about the comprehensiveness of it and about the records that we maintain.

"It is not just applicable to Antrim, I think there are equally valuable lessons that can be learnt wider afield."

In a statement, the United Hospitals Trust said staff had been deeply affected by the tragedy.

It added: "An independent report was commissioned immediately after Michael's death and the trust acknowledges that this identified problems with the procedure in place at that time.

"All recommendations contained in the report have been actioned and new systems put in place.

"We are confident that we have removed the risk of such a tragic accident occurring in the future at Antrim Area Hospital."