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AN emergency department doctor has apologised to the family of a 22-year-old Omagh man who died after being discharged from hospital, admitting that his decision was ‘misguided’.
Dr Charles Angala told an inquest into the death of Kian Patrick Slaven that he was ‘deeply sorry’ for what happened and agreed that Kian would likely still be alive had he been referred to a neurosurgical team.
Kian died at his home in Knockshee Park on October 18, 2023, two days after attending the emergency department at Altnagelvin Hospital with worsening headaches and nausea.
The inquest, which opened at Belfast Coroner’s Court, heard evidence from members of Kian’s family, Dr Angala and the author of a Serious Adverse Incident (SAI) report into his death.
Premature
Kian had been born 12 weeks premature and was diagnosed from an early age with cerebral palsy and hydrocephalus – a build-up of fluid in the brain which required him to have an implanted shunt to drain the fluid.
In the days before his death, Kian had complained of headaches and nausea which became progressively worse.
On October 16, he collapsed and was taken by ambulance to Altnagelvin’s emergency department.
He was placed on an IV drip, given painkillers and underwent a CT scan.
The inquest heard that the report accompanying the scan recommended that Kian be discussed with neurosurgeons.
However, Dr Angala said he did not interpret this as a direction to make a referral.
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He told the hearing that Kian’s condition had appeared to improve while he was in the department and, based on his clinical assessment, he made the decision to discharge him.
Dr Angala acknowledged that this decision was ‘misguided’.
He also agreed with the coroner that, had Kian been referred to the neurosurgical team at the Royal Victoria Hospital, he would likely still be alive.
The inquest heard that Kian’s shunt had become blocked by brain tissue, causing a fatal build-up of fluid in his brain.
Feel unwell
After returning home from hospital, Kian continued to feel unwell.
His mother, Nadine Slaven, told the inquest that he spent most of October 17 lying on the sofa, drifting in and out of sleep.
He remained there overnight and was found unresponsive and cold the following morning.
An ambulance crew attended and Kian was pronounced dead at 8.47am on October 18.
Giving evidence, Mrs Slaven spoke about her son’s life and interests, describing him as an Oxfam volunteer and an avid Liverpool supporter who loved music.
The inquest heard how Dr Angala was ‘deeply troubled’ by Kian’s death and he apologised directly to the Omagh man’s family.
Training
Dr Angala said he had undertaken remedial training following the incident in an effort to prevent a similar situation from happening again.
The inquest also heard evidence from the author of a Serious Adverse Incident report examining the circumstances surrounding Kian’s death.
Having heard all of the evidence, the coroner said she would now consider her findings.
A date for the delivery of the coroner’s findings has yet to be fixed.
