Yazin ELHAJE · Prevention of Future Deaths report

On 18/10/2017 I commenced an investigation into the death of Yazin ELHAJE. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest 26th April 2018.

The conclusion of the inquest was a narrative which read as follows:

Yazin died from bacterial meningitis which was diagnosed on 7th October 2017. He had been unwell for about a week with a headache but since 5th October developed a fever. On 7th October at 2am he was seen at the hospital examined and discharged, he did not have a full set of observations and his discharge letter stated that meningitis had not been completely ruled out. He was discharged at 2.45 am and his condition over the day deteriorated. He was taken by ambulance to the hospital at around 5pm on 7th October 2017 but died on 8th despite the treatment provided at that time.

Yazin Elhaje became ill on 6th October 2017 and was taken to see his general practitioner, she was concerned about his presentation and that it could be meningitis, he was managed at home and then taken to hospital later that day with a letter from the general practitioner regarding her concern. Yazin was examined and discharged with a diagnosis of sinusitis. His condition deteriorated over the next few hours and he was taken back to the hospital by ambulance, by now he was very ill, it was confirmed that he probably had meningitis, his condition deteriorated despite the treatment and he died on 8th October 2017 at Bristol Royal Hospital for Children Upper Maudlin Street Bristol

I heard during the inquest that the safety-netting advice on discharge given to Yazin’s parents was in relation to his headaches and not in relation to the differential diagnosis of meningitis.

I would ask that consideration is given to the safety-netting advice provided to parents in cases where meningitis has been considered as part of the differential diagnosis as in this case.