by Gerry Warren

gwarren@thekmgroup.co.uk

The parents of a little boy left disabled by the deadly e.coli infection are suing the health trust they claim failed to make an early diagnosis.

George Keen (pictured right after he was born) is approaching his first birthday, but he is partially sighted and deaf in one ear.

Michelle Hayman and partner Jarno Keen claim there was a crucial delay in diagnosing the illness after taking their new born child to hospital only to be told he had "feeding issues" and sent home.

It meant a critical 24 hours passed before they took him back to hospital and another doctor correctly diagnosed the infection.

But, the damage had already been done and George has been left with long-term disabilities.

His lack of general development also shows worrying signs and Michelle and Jarno, from Shipman Avenue, Canterbury, are becoming resigned to him needing extra care and support.

The couple say their complaint, which resulted in a full investigation into his care at the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford, is now in the hands of solicitors.

Michelle, 28, said: "We had a meeting with senior hospital staff a little while ago and all they really said was that new strategies were in place to ensure it wouldn’t happen again."

The lead nurse for child health care at East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust, Dianne Cobb, said at the time of George’s admission he had been specifically observed for signs of meningitis but none were found.

She added: "However, every patient is very important to us and because George’s condition deteriorated so quickly after being discharged on January 2 we are carrying out a full investigation into his care."

Michelle, who also has a seven-year-old son, William, with Jarno, has been campaigning and fundraising for Meningitis UK to try and raise awareness of the deadly illness.

She said: "Obviously, we are very fearful of what the future holds for George.

"Clearly he is not behaving like a baby of his age should be and we are getting all the support for him we can in the form of physiotherapy and other nursing help try and maximise what potential he has."

She added: "It is in the hands of our solicitors."

Health trust spokesman Mandy Carliell said: "The complaint is now being handled by our legal department."

Read more reaction in this week's Kentish Gazette.