A probe has been launched into the tragic death of a five-year-old boy who died from pneumonia after he was allegedly sent home from hospital due to a lack of beds.
Little Yusuf Mahmud Nazir died on November 23 when an infection spread to his lungs and caused multiple organ failure and several cardiac arrests.
His heartbroken family believe he could have lived had he been admitted to hospital when they took him to A&E nine days earlier.
Yusuf’s uncle Zaheer Ahmed claimed he "begged and begged" for his nephew to be admitted to hospital but was repeatedly told there were no beds available.
In light of the tragedy, the chief executive of Rotherham General Hospital - where Yusuf died - has announced an independent investigation.
Ten days before his death, the boy complained of a sore throat and his parents took him to their GP who prescribed antibiotics.
His condition did not improve the next day so his family took him to hospital, where they waited hours to be seen.
When they finally met with hospital staff, they were told it was the ‘worst case of tonsillitis’ the doctor had seen, Zaheer said. It was here he begged for his nephew to be admitted, but claims they weren't due to a lack of beds.
The youngster was distressed and struggled to breathe and swallow his family said, and his condition continued to worsen when he returned home.
Four days later his parents called an ambulance and insisted he was taken to Sheffield Children’s Hospital on November 18.
It was here he would tragically die five days later.
Speaking to Sky News, Zaheer said: “If they would have treated him where we wanted him to be treated he would be here with us now.”
He claimed staff repeatedly told him there were no beds available.
The uncle continued: “They kept saying to us, 'We've got one doctor. What do you want us to do? We've got no beds available. What do you want us to do? We've got no space for him. What do you want us to do?
“'Complain to the big people, don't complain to us. Complain to the big ones that only gave us one doctor'.”
He said they had been promised an independent inquiry into what happened and they met with the chief executive and chief nurse of Rotherham Hospital who apologised to the family.
Zaheer was unhappy that the investigation would still be led by someone in the NHS, just outside the area, and wanted it to be completely external.
Rotherham MP Sarah Champion said: “The Nazir family have been very clear they want no other family to suffer the death of a child in such appalling circumstances. We need to quickly find out what went so horribly wrong.
“I have been assured by the chief executive of Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust that an independent investigation is being launched and I will be supporting Yusuf's family to ensure that it fully investigates their concerns.
“The circumstances of Yusuf's death are deeply troubling.
“It is vital that the investigation considers the role of each organisation involved in his care and, crucially, communication and coordination between them. We need to ensure that changes are made to prevent this from ever happening again.”
A spokesman for The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust said: "Dr Richard Jenkins, Chief Executive of The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust, met with Yusuf's family and again expressed his most sincere condolences to them.
"The Trust will maintain regular contact with Yusuf's family over the course of the independent investigation.
"It's essential that Yusuf's family have confidence in the independence of the investigation so that they can have answers to their concerns.
"We are working with regional NHS colleagues, outside of Rotherham, to ensure this can be achieved. We will update Yusuf's family as soon as the necessary arrangements are in place."
