In a heartbreaking case highlighting the critical issue of sepsis recognition and patient advocacy within hospitals, Dr. Deborah Burns, a pediatrician, reportedly witnessed the tragic death of her 22-year-old son, William Hewes, from sepsis at Homerton Hospital in London – the very hospital where she has dedicated over two decades of her medical career.
According to reports from U.K. news outlets including The Times, The Telegraph, and The Independent, William Hewes was admitted to Homerton Hospital in January 2023 suffering from meningitis, which rapidly developed into sepsis. Tragically, he passed away within 24 hours of admission. At a pre-inquest hearing held at Poplar Coroner’s Court on Thursday, December 19th, Dr. Burns claimed that her professional medical advice and parental concerns regarding her son’s deteriorating condition were “ignored” by hospital staff, and that he received “inadequate care”.
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William Hewes, remembered by his family and friends, was a history and politics student at Leeds University and described as “fit and healthy” before his sudden illness. His mother, Dr. Burns, head of pediatrics at Homerton Hospital, was present throughout his admission. In a statement delivered through her lawyers, she recounted the devastating experience: “I was present throughout his admission. I witnessed him receiving inadequate care despite my raising concerns. I was not listened to at the time and I watched him die.”
Dr. Burns further expressed the emotional toll and the subsequent challenges she faced in seeking accountability. “Since then, I have met with almost two years of resistance and lack of engagement. This has taken a terrible toll on me and my family and added another layer of pain to our grief,” she stated. Her husband, Jonathan Hewes, executive producer of the Oscar-winning documentary Man on Wire, also attended the hearing, highlighting the family’s united front in seeking answers.
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Dr. Burns emphasized her dual motivation in pursuing a thorough investigation into her son’s death. Driven by both a “personal moral duty and professional obligation,” she hopes to prevent similar tragedies and improve patient care. “I wanted to help prevent what happened to William happening to other young people, to give them the best chances of survival,” she explained.
In response to the tragedy, a spokesperson for the Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust offered condolences, stating, “losing a child is an unimaginable tragedy, and our hearts go out to Dr Burns and her family during this devastating time.” While refraining from commenting on the specifics of William’s case ahead of the full inquest, the spokesperson mentioned that the hospital trust has taken steps to “reinforce the awareness of suspected sepsis” within their Emergency Department. They also acknowledged Dr. Burns’ long-standing contributions to the hospital, stating, “Dr Burns has always been a much admired and respected member of our staff at Homerton.”
Sepsis, as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO), is a life-threatening condition arising from the body’s extreme response to an infection, leading to organ dysfunction. It is a medical emergency requiring rapid diagnosis and treatment. The tragic death of William Hewes underscores the importance of timely intervention and heeding the concerns of both medical professionals and family members.
The Hewes family’s lawyer, Kate Rohde, poignantly questioned the system’s failures, especially when a medical professional’s concerns are dismissed: “If Deborah, an experienced pediatrician, was not listened to, what hope do other parents have of getting doctors to hear their concerns?”
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William Hewes’s case also brings into focus the recent implementation of Martha’s Rule within the NHS. Inspired by the case of 13-year-old Martha Mills, who also died from sepsis, Martha’s Rule is a patient safety initiative empowering patients and families to seek urgent reviews if they feel their concerns about deteriorating conditions are not being adequately addressed.
The inquest into William Hewes’s death has been adjourned until February 13th. Dr. Ron Daniels, a chief medical officer at the U.K. Sepsis Trust, acting as an expert witness for the family, stated that the inquest will examine whether crucial life-saving treatments, such as antibiotics, were administered promptly. In the wake of their devastating loss, the Hewes family has established a JustGiving page, raising significant funds for the Meningitis Research Foundation, demonstrating their commitment to preventing future tragedies and supporting research into related conditions.
