Toddler twice sent home by hospital before death: inquest

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A Perth mother has told a coronial inquest into her toddler’s death she would never forgive herself for not insisting he be admitted to hospital after the family was twice sent home.

Christopher Tao, 2, developed a temperature in September 2010 and had swelling on his neck, a rash and headaches.

His mother Claudia Ling, who is a nurse, told the WA Coroner’s Court she was sure her son would be admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) on their second visit there.

She said she was very disappointed when staff told the family to return home.

“I will never ever forgive myself … I should have insisted,” she said.

“Never would you think your child would die or something serious.

“We tried to believe them, tried to think they are right.

“I went there twice, sent back twice … We lost confidence.”

Ms Ling had worked as a nurse in China before she and her husband moved to Perth, where they both got jobs at hospitals.

Ms Ling told the inquest she took her son to the family doctor the day after they were turned away from PMH for the second time.

The doctor believed the child had measles.

The following day, Christopher was found unconscious in his bed and later died from a heart infection.

The inquest continues.