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Calls have been made to make in-person GP appointments for children under the age of five mandatory, following the death of a County Durham two-year-old. It comes as a petition has been launched by one of Hudson Hewitt's relatives, after they claim he died “ due to a misdiagnosis over a phone consultation with a GP”. At the time of writing, the petition which was created at the end of March, has received more than 70,000 verified signatures.
Thousands sign petition calling for mandatory in-person GP appointments for children The petition explains: “This petition comes from a place of great personal loss. My nephew, Hudson, tragically passed away at just 2 years old due to a misdiagnosis over a phone consultation with a GP. Hudson with mum Shannon and dad Tyler (Image: FAMILY) “Most parents, like me, believe in the value of face-to-face consultations in diagnosing issues for our young children.
Though telemedicine has grown in recent times, it should not replace in-person check-ups, especially for children aged below five years. “According to the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, young children’s conditions can often be misinterpreted over the phone or video (RCPCH, Yearly Report, 2020). “We, therefore, urge a change in regulations to make it a legal obligation for GPs to see children under 5 years old in person.
It's a much-needed move to ensure the safety and well-being of our children.” When Hudson, who was from Ferryhill, County Durham, became unwell his parents contacted the NHS 111 service for advice but were told to keep trying to get fluids into him and that he possibly had gastroenteritis. However, if his symptoms didn’t improve, they were told to call back, according to the petition.
Hudson loved farm animals and dinosaurs (Image: FAMILY) The relative who set up the petition continued: “Hudson began to decline and so his parents contacted 111 again, they advised to keep doing what they were doing however if he was still no better that they could attend an appointment at the local hospital later that day. “Hudson began to rapidly become worse and they decided that they couldn’t wait until the allocated appointment time and took him straight there. After being seen he was transferred straight away by rapid response blue light ambulance, where he suffered two cardiac arrests and sadly shortly after he passed away.
” Following a post-mortem examination, Hudson was found to have had a twist in his bowel which had “caused his bowel to die and lead to his other organs failing”. But now his family is calling for an urgent change in how young children are assessed or diagnosed by a doctor when they are unwell. When to See Your GP About Cancer They shared: “Hudson was 2 and a half years old and couldn't tell us what was wrong with him.
“We feel that a child under 5 years old should automatically be seen by a medical professional instead of being diagnosed over the phone. Recommended reading: Man calls for 'stricter safety measures' for UK bridges after 'firsthand terror' “As parents we know when our child is not right and as a duty of care and a child's right they are entitled to be seen whether it may be something minor or in Hudson’s case, much more serious.” “We want to change the regulations for GP's to automatically see children under 5 to help prevent other families from going through the heart ache our family has over the loss of our beautiful little Hudson, he was our whole world and without him our world is a very dark place.
” An NHS spokesperson said: “NHS England extends its deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Hudson Hewitt. NHS 111 is designed to ensure people get the right care at the right time, including referrals for urgent face-to-face assessment when needed. We are always willing to listen to people’s views as part of our commitment to providing the best possible care for patients.
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