The family of 17-month-old Rio Stanulis has raised concerns about alleged repeated medical errors and inadequate care at Glasgow’s Hospital for Sick Children. The parents, Paul Stanulis, 38, and Nicole Dorman, 35, have voiced their distress over what they describe as a series of alarming incidents that they believe have put their son’s health at risk, attributing much of this turmoil to perceived understaffing at the facility.

Rio, diagnosed with neuroblastoma — a form of cancer — had been turned away by medical staff weeks earlier who assured them that nothing was wrong. Following a birth marked by complications, including the need for an emergency stoma, Rio faced a host of serious medical challenges, enduring issues such as spinal problems and cardiac defects, including two holes in his heart. Despite his initial medical issues, it took his family three months to discover the presence of a rapidly growing cancer, which had reached 10cm in size by the time it was identified.

The Stanulis family claims their son has suffered severe lapses in care, including being denied appropriate pain relief after surgeries. Nicole recounted a particular incident in which a nurse attempted to administer a dosage of Trimethoprim — an antibiotic — that was ten times greater than what was prescribed. Nicole noticed the discrepancy and insisted the nurse confirm the correct dosage, resulting in the nurse discarding the incorrect syringe. Paul later described the response from staff, saying, “They were in denial but we had the syringe to prove it. But we were just palmed off, it was never mentioned again.”

Other troubling incidents have reportedly followed, including a case in December where Rio was admitted for throat surgery despite his grandparents securing the hospital staff’s awareness of the family’s norovirus illness. Subsequently, Rio contracted norovirus during his stay, creating further complications that led to extended periods without adequate pain management following his surgery.

In testing situations, the parents expressed their distress when they observed profound challenges in the administration of care, such as a doctor making nine attempts to insert a cannula into Rio without proper anaesthetic. This lack of compassion and technique reportedly resulted in significant distress for the toddler, drawing further criticism from his family regarding the quality of care.

The series of medical missteps culminated during a recent hospital stay, where Rio experienced significant pain after surgery due to delays in receiving prescribed painkillers. His parents assert these incidents signify a need for improvements in staffing and care protocols.

In response to the family’s allegations, Dr Claire Harrow, Deputy Medical Director for Acute Services at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, acknowledged the family’s distress but emphasized that a review of Rio’s treatment found no evidence to support several of the claims made. Dr Harrow stated, “We are keen to meet Rio’s parents to discuss their concerns and any misunderstandings in more detail and we would encourage them to contact us so we can arrange a suitable time.”

The Stanulis family’s experiences highlight ongoing concerns related to patient care and staffing at children’s healthcare facilities, raising questions about patient safety and the accountability of medical staff in high-pressure environments.

Source: Noah Wire Services