Four-year-old died of sepsis… after doctors ignored symptoms and advised him to take Calpol, his heartbroken parents say

Parents of a four-year-old boy who died from sepsis after being told to take Calpol are hoping to get answers in an upcoming trial.

Lindita Alushi and Kastriot Klosi took their son Daniel to the Royal Free Hospital in Camden, London, four times in the week before his death. They were discharged each time.

During the second and third visits, the doctors advised the couple to give their son Calpol and Ibuprofen.

On the fourth visit, Daniel, who had autism, was admitted to the pediatric emergency department with sepsis, but he died several hours later.

His mother Lindita, a pharmacy assistant and qualified doctor in her native Albania, said: ‘Daniel was an absolutely adorable little boy and we were so blessed to have him as our son.

Daniel’s parents took him to the Royal Free Hospital in Camden, London, four times in the week before his death, but were discharged each time. Daniel pictured in hospital during one of the family visits

‘He loved cooking and baking with me.

“He loved animals, listening to stories and playing with his friends. Daniel was very curious and inquisitive. He was just an absolute delight.

‘We still don’t understand what happened to Daniel and why.

‘We kept taking him to the hospital and were very concerned about his condition, but nothing can prepare you for the moment when you hear that your son has passed away.

“That day changed our family forever. Our days are filled with need, emptiness and sadness.”

The couple have enlisted the help of medical negligence lawyers at Irwin Mitchell. The inquest into Daniel’s death is expected to begin on August 13 at Poplar Coroner’s Court.

The investigation is expected to last two days and the family hopes it will provide much-needed answers.

Lindita, 44, added: ‘Time has passed but for our family it stands still because of the many unanswered questions about what happened to Daniel.

‘Every day we wonder if more could have been done to save our little boy.

“We know it will be incredibly difficult to hear everything again during the inquest, but it is something we must do to honor our son and get the answers we have been seeking for over a year.”

On March 26, 2023, Daniel’s parents took him to the Royal Free Hospital emergency room for the first time. Just a few hours later, they were able to send him home.

Four days later they returned to the hospital, concerned about Daniel’s breathing. He was discharged in the early hours of the next day.

During the second and third visits, the couple claim that doctors advised them to give their son, who was sick with sepsis, Calpol and Ibuprofen. Kastriot Klosi is pictured playing with Daniel

The investigation is expected to last two days and the family hopes it will provide some much-needed answers

The couple continued to worry about Daniel, who they believed had stopped eating, and the next day they took him back, only to be sent home again.

They returned that same day around 4:00 p.m. with Daniel, who was admitted to the ER after about four hours.

However, his condition deteriorated and he died in the early morning of the following day, Sunday, April 2.

Lucy Macklin, the medical negligence lawyer representing the couple, said: ‘It has been incredibly difficult for Lindita and Kastriot to try to come to terms with Daniel’s death and the events leading up to it.

‘It is understandable that they still have many questions and concerns about the care their son received and Daniel’s death.

While nothing will ever make up for Daniel’s death, we are determined to support his loved ones so that they can at least get the important answers they deserve.

‘The research is an important milestone in being able to do this.

“If the hearing identifies any issues with the care Daniel received, it is vital that lessons are learned to improve patient safety for others.”

A spokesman for Royal Free London said: ‘We are deeply saddened by the passing of Daniel and would like to reiterate our sincere condolences to his family.

‘We have conducted an investigation into Daniel’s care and the findings have been shared with his family.

‘We await the outcome of the investigation.’