Devastated dad accepts apology from coroner's office over inquest error

OFFICIALS have apologised to a grieving father who missed an inquest which found serious failings by hospital staff into the care of his poorly son.

- JOHN SCHEERHOUT

Lee Rawlinson wasn't told about the hearing into the death of his 12-year-old son due to an 'administrative error! Mr Rawlinson only learned of coroner's conclusion, that crucial delays in treating his critically-ill son, who was born with heart problems, contributed to the death in a report of the hearing in the M.E.N.

Now devastated Mr Rawlinson has said he has received and accepted an apology for an 'administrative error' after being told work was underway by the court to ensure no other parent, particularly those who have separated, suffer the same experience.

Otherwise fit and healthy, Joel was on his PlayStation at home in Middleton when he collapsed on Sunday night, December 29, 2019. When he was taken to North Manchester General Hospital that night, medics concentrated on trying to find out the cause of the problems instead of recognising how poorly he was so he could be moved to a specialist children's hospital, the inquest heard.

Area coroner Paul Appleton recorded the medical cause of death as cardiac respiratory failure due to an aneurysm. He concluded the death was 'contributed to by the delay in recognising the severity' of Joel's condition and by 'delay in escalating' his treatment.