Investigation and inquest
On 28/11/2012 I commenced an investigation into the death of Bradley David Griffiths, who was 7 months old. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 11 March 2015. The medical cause of death was 1) Hypoxic Ischaemic brain injury following cardiorespiratory arrest, cause undetermined 2) Two previous Apparent Life-Threatening Events; Brainstem inflammation. The conclusion of the inquest was Open conclusion.
Circumstances of the death
Bradley Griffiths died on the 18th November 2012 at the Leicester Royal Infirmary following a cardiac arrest at home on the 13th November 2012. He was initially admitted to Walsgrave Hospital Coventry where attempts to resuscitate continued until spontaneous circulation occurred. He was transferred to the Leicester Royal Infirmary Paediatric Intensive Care Unit the same day. His prognosis was poor and intensive care was withdrawn on the 18th November 2012 at 13:28hours and he died at 13:45hours. Bradley had suffered two previous Apparent Life-Threatening Events; one on the 7th November 2012 and the other on the 11th November 2012. Both resulted in hospital admissions for a period of observation during which he was found to be well enough to be discharged. Clinical evidence has not provided insight into why the fatal cardiac arrest occurred. Therefore, the cause of it remains undetermined
Coroner’s concerns
Evidence was heard from ████████ who was Bradley’s Health Visitor. ████████ explained that she only saw Bradley once which was for the first visit on the 30th April 2012. Although two appointments were made with Bradley's Mum for the 6 week routine check to take place, his Mum did not keep them. After the second failed appointment ████████ telephoned Bradley’s Mum on the 26th June 2012 and was informed by her that she had separated from Bradley’s father and she and Bradley were living in the Northampton area with friends and that she had registered with a new G.P. However she would not tell ████████ where she was living or the details of the new GP. As a result ████████ sent Bradley’s records to the "No Trace" storage at the Child Health Department with the expectation they would be sent to the next assigned Health Visitor.