13-year-old Melbourne boy dies after eating hospital meal
On October 22, 2015, 13-year-old Louis Tate was admitted to Frankston Hospital after suffering an asthma attack. He was treated for his attack, but just 24 hours later, he was dead.
Louis asked for a breakfast of Weet-Bix and soy milk, and despite informing the staff of his allergies, went into anaphylactic shock after his meal. His mother, Gabrielle Catan, called the hospital that morning to check in on her son, and a nurse told her he was complaining of a tingling in his mouth.
“I thought because he was in hospital, the medical staff would know exactly how to take care of him," Gabrielle Catan told the Melbourne inquest into Louis’ death. “I didn’t feel I had to say anaphylaxis was a life-threatening condition.”
According to Irene Fisher, who served Louis his breakfast, the nurse looking after him told her about his allergies, but there was no notation on the kitchen whiteboard as per hospital protocol.
The tragic death has devastated the boy’s family, with his father Simon Tate saying in a statement that it was made even worse by the fact it could have been prevented.
“His death has changed our lives and we continue to struggle every day with the emptiness, loss and circumstances,” he said. “He was in hospital, at a place where he should have been safe. Yet despite us providing clear and concise communications about his food allergies, he died.
“Our hope is that this inquest not only provides us with the many answers we need and deserve, but that it closely examines food safety and anaphylaxis management protocols at Frankston Hospital.”