The father of a boy with autism who died after being discharged from hospital is campaigning to improve NHS care.
Harry Procko: discharged from hospital and died two days later
Richard Clements’ son Harry Procko was just four years old when he died.
Clements took Harry to Queen’s Medical Centre, in Nottingham, on June 20, 2014. He was suffering from gastroenteritis, but died from dehydration three days later after collapsing at home.
NHS petition launched
Clements, from Nottingham, has now launched a petition on change.org. He is calling for changes in the NHS to better protect children with autism.
The petition calls for 13 changes to the way hospitals deal with children with ASD. Almost 15,000 supporters have signed it so far.
Among the changes, Clements calls for all children’s departments to have at least one autism-trained doctor and nurse on duty at all times. He also calls for swifter transitions between departments and side rooms to cut stress.
No tests or treatment
Clements, 50, said: “My son was left without any tests or treatment, even though the hospital had adequate time and staff to complete the procedures and he was discharged from the hospital and passed away two days later.”
Treasured memory: Harry Procko as a baby
Following Harry’s admission to the hospital, his family took him home a number of hours later after he became agitated.
This was against a doctor’s recommendations. As a compromise the parents arranged for Harry to come back the following morning, when doctors assessed his condition as having improved.
Shortcomings in care
An inquest ruled that the Queen’s Medical Centre, run by Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, was not responsible. However, it found shortcomings in Harry’s care.
In a statement, the Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust said: “We have learnt from Harry’s experience and since made changes to better meet the needs of patients with autism.”
Clements and his wife Marika Procko, 48, have three other children with autism. They are Ciaran, 13, Niamh, 12, and Caitlin, nine.
The change.org campaign is here.
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