Inquest jury told to 'put emotions aside' as they consider verdict in death of baby at Leeds hospital
The jury has retired to deliberate upon its verdict
The jury at the inquest into the death of a five-month-old baby at a Leeds hospital has been warned to “put emotions aside” when considering their verdict.
Esta Alina High died from meningitis at Leeds General Infirmary’s children’s hospital on November 6, 2023, after being diagnosed with streptococcus pneumoniae.
The jury tasked with determining the cause of Esta’s death retired to deliberate upon its verdict at Wakefield Coroner’s Court today.
Assistant Coroner Naomi McLoughlin instructed them to consider one of three potential verdicts - natural causes, a narrative conclusion or a neglect rider - only to be used if they determine their was a “gross failure to provide care or treatment.”
“You must put emotions aside and consider only the evidence,” she reminded them.
Over the course of the eight day hearing, the jury heard from a range of witnesses and experts including Professor Simon Nadel who agreed there were “missed opportunities” at Leeds General Infirmary that “more than minimally, negligibly or trivially” contributed to the death of Esta.
Professor Nadel, who is a consultant in paediatric intensive care, told the inquest last week: “I have said all along that the earlier antibiotics were started the more likely that the outcome would have been different.”
The jury heard that Esta was admitted to hospital on October 31, 2023, after suffering from a high temperature and vomiting. She was diagnosed with Covid-19 and staff later made attempts to discharge her under the hospital’s healthier at home service.
This was rejected by her parents Lynsey Carr and Leon High.
After being moved to a private side room, the jury were told that baby Esta’s condition continued to deteriorate. She began suffering from seizures and started making a “continuous grunting noise,” but Miss Carr said they was reassured by staff that this was merely her discomfort from Covid.
She told the inquest that during a period of around 15 hours, several opportunities were missed to save Esta’s life.
“Esta was our only child and loved beyond words,” she told the jury. “She was a very happy, content, beautiful baby. We were and still are so proud of her.
“This has been taken away from us and is unforgivable. Not only has this impacted our lives, but many friends and family members who adored Esta.”
During his evidence, Professor Nadel accepted that the presence of Covid made decision-making more complicated for the doctors involved.
He also stressed that the opinions he gave to the jury were “on the balance of probabilities” and not certainties.
In a statement, Dr Elizabeth Garthwaite, Chief Medical Officer at the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “We offer our deepest sympathies to Lynsey and Leon and their family for the tragic loss of Esta.
“We recognise the profound and ongoing impact of Esta's death on her family, and their need to understand what happened.
“The inquest is now underway and it is important that we respect that process. We will continue to support the Coroner's investigation and listen carefully to the evidence heard during the inquest. It would not be appropriate for us to comment further while those proceedings are ongoing.”