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Toddler's Death Was Avoidable Because Doctors Failed to Find Fatal Brain Condition, Coroner Rules 2-year-old Alice Mason died in agony in March 2011 from fluid on the brain due to a very large number of serious failures by medics who did not discover a fatal brain condition in time to save her life, a coroner ruled today. Alices condition went undiagnosed and untreated causing her to die prematurely, an inquest the West London Coroners Court heard. Coroner Sean Cummings apologised to Alices parents for her avoidable death and said I am very very sorry that you have to endure this. Two months prior to her death in March 2011 Alice had undergone successful treatment for a brain tumour. The coroner stated in a narrative inquest verdict Alices death was avoidable. He ruled that there were a very large number of serious failures in the care of Alice and he would be making a report to NHS London and a copy to the Care Quality Commission about the issue. Alices care was split between her local district general hospital, Kingston Hospital in Surrey, cancer specialists at the Royal Marsden Hospital, in Chelsea, and a neurosurgical team at St Georges Hospital, south London. Professor Martin Gore, medical director of the Royal Marsden, headed up the enquiry into Alices care at the hospital and Kingston Hospital after she died and discovered over a dozen failings by medical staff. The coroner Dr Sean Cummings said that the report had exposed failures of care at almost every pathway, this included unclear information about Alices MRI scan, insufficient communication, no overall care plan, water on the brain was not monitored and the medical professionals did not listen to Alices parents. The Coroner told the inquest, I find this astonishing given Royal Marsden is a not only centre of excellence but a top centre of excellence. Professor Martin Gore told the inquest that Alices death had shaken many, many people within the organisation. He continued. I dont think anyone involved in this case will forget it. He said. I certainly wont. Mr and Mrs Mason were told at the Royal Marsden on March 23, 2011 that there were signs of fluid accumulation on Alices MRI scan and she should be taken to Kingston Hospital. The inquest heard that Doctors advised that if her symptoms worsened she should undergo a CT scan. Hours later Alice was taken to Kingston Hospital but a junior doctor said that it was not in her clinical judgement that a CT scan was required, said the Masons lawyers. The doctor, Sharon Jheeta, spoke at a previous hearing and said that as a junior she would not have made a decision as the decisions about Alices treatment were made by senior staff. When Alice finally received tests at Kingston Hospital, she had suffered irreversible brain damage, which was caused by hydrocephalus and emergency surgery would not be able to save her. The family lawyers said that there were more delays when transferring Alice to St Georges Hospital and in her undergoing surgery. Alice died at home on March 31, 2011 after suffering irreversible brain damage. Professor Martin Gore said as a result of Alices death Royal Marsden hospital had learnt lessons. To speak with one of our friendly advisors please enter your details below Name Email Phone

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He told the inquest. I think there are some things that are unlikely to happen again. Im not going to say never but several lessons have been learnt across all three trusts. If you or a member of your family has suffered injury as a result of medical negligence on hospital or elsewhere, then please do not hesitate to contact the highly experienced medical negligence team at Michael Lewin Solicitors on 0844 499 9302.

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