Family 'doted on' teenager who died after being given penicillin

The family of a teenager who died after doctors repeatedly gave her penicillin - despite knowing she was allergic to the drug - have urged patients to ask questions about their treatment.

Ayaan Abdiqadir Maximed, who suffered from cerebral palsy, died after spending more than a month in hospital even though she was only admitted with a chest infection.

The 14-year-old was admitted to Northwick Park hospital in Watford Road, Harrow, in November 2011 after developingan allergic reaction to medication prescribed for theinfection,where she was twice given penicillin - despite doctors knowing she suffered from an allergy to the drug.

An inquest held at the North London Coroners Court from January 12 to 22 heard she suffered a severe allergic reaction and was then transferred to Great Ormond Street Hospital for immediate treatment.

However once Ayaan was transferred back to Northwick Park, doctors gave her another dose of penicillin at 6pm on December 15 and a second dose at 8am on December 16.

Her condition rapidly deteriorated and she later died on December 25, 2011.

Senior coroner Andrew Walker concluded Ayaans death was contributed to by neglect, and gave causes of death as septicaemia shock, bacterial infection, Stevens Johnsons Syndrome caused by penicillin reaction, and quadriplegic cerebral palsy.

A spokesman for London North West Healthcare NHS Trust said: We have apologised to the family for this tragic case. A thorough investigation was carried out and the Trust now has an action plan in place to implement the lessons learned during the process.

Mother Mariama Ismail Hassan said she had requested a translator at the hospital and asked that all decisions about her daughters be made by her, but that doctors held a number of crucial meetings without her and refused to listen.

She added: I felt disrespected and marginalised by the hospital. My concerns were not heard - I was completely ignored by the doctors.

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Family 'doted on' teenager who died after being given penicillin