NHS Trust Prosecuted Over Sepsis Deaths of Two Children

The Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust (MSE) is facing prosecution over the deaths of two young children from sepsis, the BBC has learned. The charges stem from incidents at Broomfield Hospital in Essex involving a three-year-old girl and a two-year-old girl.

Three charges have been brought against the trust, which operates Broomfield Hospital. Two charges relate to the death of three-year-old Zadie Ajetunmobi, who died within hours of arrival at the hospital in November 2022 with a temperature of 40C (104F). A post-mortem examination indicated her death was due to complications from sepsis. Court documents revealed that Zadie was not administered a potentially life-saving dose of intravenous antibiotics for over seven hours.

The third charge concerns the death of two-year-old Selina Samarina, who was taken to Broomfield Hospital in April 2024 with symptoms including fever, a rash, and irritability. Although the sepsis protocol was triggered upon her initial arrival, a coroner previously stated that a doctor of appropriate seniority was not available for two and a half hours. Selina was discharged by a junior doctor, only to be readmitted by her parents and die two days later. Selina had Down's syndrome.

The prosecution is being conducted by the Care Quality Commission under the Health and Social Care Act, alleging that care and treatment were "not provided in a safe way" to the girls.

MSE is expected to enter pleas to the three charges before Chelmsford Magistrates' Court in December. A group chief executive for MSE stated that the trust is working closely with the CQC on its investigation, but declined to comment further due to the ongoing legal process.