Sick children suffer as firm fails to send vital NHS medicines

Children with serious health conditions are getting sicker as a result of persistent failings by Sciensus, a private company paid millions by the NHS to deliver essential medication, the Guardian can reveal.

- Andrew Gregory

Parents of sick children say they have repeatedly been let down by botched, delayed or missed deliveries, while NHS clinicians warn some are suffering harm as a result.

Sciensus failed to send injections to Autumn Powell, an eight-year-old girl with Crohn's disease, four times this year, according to her mother, Dallas Powell. As a result, she suffered stomach cramping, pain and fatigue, and has been off school.

"It makes me mad, frustrated, but mostly it's heartbreaking seeing my child suffering - and feeling helpless," Powell said. "I am not one to complain publicly, but this is serious."

Autumn's NHS doctor had to take emergency action. He prescribed steroids in an attempt to get her symptoms under control while waiting for injections from Sciensus. Originally due on 31 March, then 12 April, then 17 April, then 1 May, the company failed to deliver them on all four dates.

After being presented with the findings, Sciensus launched an investigation. It said it would learn lessons. Within hours of the Guardian approaching the company, Autumn's first injection was delivered.

"Sciensus has added so much unnecessary stress to our lives, when we were already struggling with accepting our daughter's diagnosis," said Powell, 30, from Somerset. "It's unbelievable and it's shocking.

Asked about the case, Sarah Sleet, the chief executive of Crohn's & Colitis UK, a charity, said Autumn's experience was "really upsetting".