12-year-old sues after Mum's death - abruptly stopped antidepressants

[Guest guest]

http://www.lynnnews.co.uk/news/12yearold-sues-after-Mum39s-death.3229271.jp

12-year-old sues after Mum's death

By Long

A SNETTISHAM youngster is seeking compensation through the High Court after her

mother died in hospital when doctors suddenly withdrew the drugs on which she

was dependent.

Jo Newton (12), of The Avenue, who is suing through her father Newton,

has issued the claim against Norfolk and Waveney Mental Health Partnership NHS

Trust after her mother died while receiving respite care in

July 2004.

Mrs (50) had been suffering from mental health problems, believed to be

triggered by the menopause, which left her depressed and in need of a number of

antidepressants.

She was admitted to the Northgate Hospital, in Great Yarmouth, for a two-week

respite period, which doctors saw as an opportunity to give her a " drugs

holiday " .

But after her medication suddenly ceased she experienced a number of

complications and died three weeks later.

Last week a claim was issued in the High Court by Thetford-based solicitors

Kester Cunningham , on behalf of the family.

Coles, a specialist in clinical negligence, who is handling the case,

said: " Quite simply, 's death should not have happened.

" If she had received appropriate care and treatment by the staff at

Northgate Hospital, she would still be alive today and her daughter would still

have her mother.

" This was the sort of thing that is easily avoided by a bit of thought. It is

one of the most shocking cases of negligence that I have had to deal with. Her

family has been left devastated. "

When Mrs was first admitted the intention had been for a gradual

reduction in medication, but her drugs were stopped immediately - despite

concerns raised by her family.

She later collapsed in her room and was transferred to the Paget Hospital,

in Gorleston, where it was initially thought she had fallen, before doctors

suspected she was suffering from a urinary tract infection.

The illness was finally diagnosed as neuroleptic malignant syndrome, a disorder

usually associated with antidepressant drugs which produces dangerous toxins

affecting the blood and kidneys.

Mrs later suffered fits and was diagnosed as having a brain

haemorrhage. Her family was told the stroke was so serious that she would not

recover.

After lengthy consideration it was agreed to turn off her ventilator and she

died on July 27, 2004.

An internal hospital investigation concluded that instead of a gradual reduction

of medication it had been stopped immediately, which probably caused the

symptoms which killed her.

The investigation also revealed that medical records for her period in Northgate

were " scant " and that the decision to give her a " drugs holiday " was

inappropriate due to the lack of supervision and monitoring.

Trust spokesman Lowman said: " Although we cannot comment on individual

patients, we have accepted responsibility for what happened in this very unusual

case. We are also ensuring that other staff in the Trust benefit from what we

have learned.

" We have worked closely with Mrs 's family and friends throughout this

case, and reiterate our sincere sympathy for their loss. "

Last Updated: 25 September 2007 11:10 AM

[Guest guest]

http://www.lynnnews.co.uk/news/12yearold-sues-after-Mum39s-death.3229271.jp

12-year-old sues after Mum's death

By Long

A SNETTISHAM youngster is seeking compensation through the High Court after her

mother died in hospital when doctors suddenly withdrew the drugs on which she

was dependent.

Jo Newton (12), of The Avenue, who is suing through her father Newton,

has issued the claim against Norfolk and Waveney Mental Health Partnership NHS

Trust after her mother died while receiving respite care in

July 2004.

Mrs (50) had been suffering from mental health problems, believed to be

triggered by the menopause, which left her depressed and in need of a number of

antidepressants.

She was admitted to the Northgate Hospital, in Great Yarmouth, for a two-week

respite period, which doctors saw as an opportunity to give her a " drugs

holiday " .

But after her medication suddenly ceased she experienced a number of

complications and died three weeks later.

Last week a claim was issued in the High Court by Thetford-based solicitors

Kester Cunningham , on behalf of the family.

Coles, a specialist in clinical negligence, who is handling the case,

said: " Quite simply, 's death should not have happened.

" If she had received appropriate care and treatment by the staff at

Northgate Hospital, she would still be alive today and her daughter would still

have her mother.

" This was the sort of thing that is easily avoided by a bit of thought. It is

one of the most shocking cases of negligence that I have had to deal with. Her

family has been left devastated. "

When Mrs was first admitted the intention had been for a gradual

reduction in medication, but her drugs were stopped immediately - despite

concerns raised by her family.

She later collapsed in her room and was transferred to the Paget Hospital,

in Gorleston, where it was initially thought she had fallen, before doctors

suspected she was suffering from a urinary tract infection.

The illness was finally diagnosed as neuroleptic malignant syndrome, a disorder

usually associated with antidepressant drugs which produces dangerous toxins

affecting the blood and kidneys.

Mrs later suffered fits and was diagnosed as having a brain

haemorrhage. Her family was told the stroke was so serious that she would not

recover.

After lengthy consideration it was agreed to turn off her ventilator and she

died on July 27, 2004.

An internal hospital investigation concluded that instead of a gradual reduction

of medication it had been stopped immediately, which probably caused the

symptoms which killed her.

The investigation also revealed that medical records for her period in Northgate

were " scant " and that the decision to give her a " drugs holiday " was

inappropriate due to the lack of supervision and monitoring.

Trust spokesman Lowman said: " Although we cannot comment on individual

patients, we have accepted responsibility for what happened in this very unusual

case. We are also ensuring that other staff in the Trust benefit from what we

have learned.

" We have worked closely with Mrs 's family and friends throughout this

case, and reiterate our sincere sympathy for their loss. "

Last Updated: 25 September 2007 11:10 AM

[Guest guest]

http://www.lynnnews.co.uk/news/12yearold-sues-after-Mum39s-death.3229271.jp

12-year-old sues after Mum's death

By Long

A SNETTISHAM youngster is seeking compensation through the High Court after her

mother died in hospital when doctors suddenly withdrew the drugs on which she

was dependent.

Jo Newton (12), of The Avenue, who is suing through her father Newton,

has issued the claim against Norfolk and Waveney Mental Health Partnership NHS

Trust after her mother died while receiving respite care in

July 2004.

Mrs (50) had been suffering from mental health problems, believed to be

triggered by the menopause, which left her depressed and in need of a number of

antidepressants.

She was admitted to the Northgate Hospital, in Great Yarmouth, for a two-week

respite period, which doctors saw as an opportunity to give her a " drugs

holiday " .

But after her medication suddenly ceased she experienced a number of

complications and died three weeks later.

Last week a claim was issued in the High Court by Thetford-based solicitors

Kester Cunningham , on behalf of the family.

Coles, a specialist in clinical negligence, who is handling the case,

said: " Quite simply, 's death should not have happened.

" If she had received appropriate care and treatment by the staff at

Northgate Hospital, she would still be alive today and her daughter would still

have her mother.

" This was the sort of thing that is easily avoided by a bit of thought. It is

one of the most shocking cases of negligence that I have had to deal with. Her

family has been left devastated. "

When Mrs was first admitted the intention had been for a gradual

reduction in medication, but her drugs were stopped immediately - despite

concerns raised by her family.

She later collapsed in her room and was transferred to the Paget Hospital,

in Gorleston, where it was initially thought she had fallen, before doctors

suspected she was suffering from a urinary tract infection.

The illness was finally diagnosed as neuroleptic malignant syndrome, a disorder

usually associated with antidepressant drugs which produces dangerous toxins

affecting the blood and kidneys.

Mrs later suffered fits and was diagnosed as having a brain

haemorrhage. Her family was told the stroke was so serious that she would not

recover.

After lengthy consideration it was agreed to turn off her ventilator and she

died on July 27, 2004.

An internal hospital investigation concluded that instead of a gradual reduction

of medication it had been stopped immediately, which probably caused the

symptoms which killed her.

The investigation also revealed that medical records for her period in Northgate

were " scant " and that the decision to give her a " drugs holiday " was

inappropriate due to the lack of supervision and monitoring.

Trust spokesman Lowman said: " Although we cannot comment on individual

patients, we have accepted responsibility for what happened in this very unusual

case. We are also ensuring that other staff in the Trust benefit from what we

have learned.

" We have worked closely with Mrs 's family and friends throughout this

case, and reiterate our sincere sympathy for their loss. "

Last Updated: 25 September 2007 11:10 AM

[Guest guest]

http://www.lynnnews.co.uk/news/12yearold-sues-after-Mum39s-death.3229271.jp

12-year-old sues after Mum's death

By Long

A SNETTISHAM youngster is seeking compensation through the High Court after her

mother died in hospital when doctors suddenly withdrew the drugs on which she

was dependent.

Jo Newton (12), of The Avenue, who is suing through her father Newton,

has issued the claim against Norfolk and Waveney Mental Health Partnership NHS

Trust after her mother died while receiving respite care in

July 2004.

Mrs (50) had been suffering from mental health problems, believed to be

triggered by the menopause, which left her depressed and in need of a number of

antidepressants.

She was admitted to the Northgate Hospital, in Great Yarmouth, for a two-week

respite period, which doctors saw as an opportunity to give her a " drugs

holiday " .

But after her medication suddenly ceased she experienced a number of

complications and died three weeks later.

Last week a claim was issued in the High Court by Thetford-based solicitors

Kester Cunningham , on behalf of the family.

Coles, a specialist in clinical negligence, who is handling the case,

said: " Quite simply, 's death should not have happened.

" If she had received appropriate care and treatment by the staff at

Northgate Hospital, she would still be alive today and her daughter would still

have her mother.

" This was the sort of thing that is easily avoided by a bit of thought. It is

one of the most shocking cases of negligence that I have had to deal with. Her

family has been left devastated. "

When Mrs was first admitted the intention had been for a gradual

reduction in medication, but her drugs were stopped immediately - despite

concerns raised by her family.

She later collapsed in her room and was transferred to the Paget Hospital,

in Gorleston, where it was initially thought she had fallen, before doctors

suspected she was suffering from a urinary tract infection.

The illness was finally diagnosed as neuroleptic malignant syndrome, a disorder

usually associated with antidepressant drugs which produces dangerous toxins

affecting the blood and kidneys.

Mrs later suffered fits and was diagnosed as having a brain

haemorrhage. Her family was told the stroke was so serious that she would not

recover.

After lengthy consideration it was agreed to turn off her ventilator and she

died on July 27, 2004.

An internal hospital investigation concluded that instead of a gradual reduction

of medication it had been stopped immediately, which probably caused the

symptoms which killed her.

The investigation also revealed that medical records for her period in Northgate

were " scant " and that the decision to give her a " drugs holiday " was

inappropriate due to the lack of supervision and monitoring.

Trust spokesman Lowman said: " Although we cannot comment on individual

patients, we have accepted responsibility for what happened in this very unusual

case. We are also ensuring that other staff in the Trust benefit from what we

have learned.

" We have worked closely with Mrs 's family and friends throughout this

case, and reiterate our sincere sympathy for their loss. "

Last Updated: 25 September 2007 11:10 AM