NHS trust prosecuted over sepsis deaths of two young children

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 21 Oct, 08:44 · Archive

An NHS trust faces three criminal charges following the deaths of two young children from sepsis at an Essex hospital.

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust is facing prosecution over the deaths of two young children who contracted sepsis at Broomfield Hospital in Essex. The Care Quality Commission has brought three charges under the Health and Social Care Act, with two relating to Zadie Ajetunmobi, three, and one to Selina Samarina, two.

Zadie was taken to the hospital in November 2022 with a high temperature of 40C, sore throat and racing heartbeat. She suffered a cardiac arrest and died less than ten hours after arrival. An inquest heard she had waited more than seven hours for intravenous antibiotics. Selina died in April 2024, two days after being sent home by a doctor at the hospital; she was brought back by ambulance after her condition deteriorated but went into cardiac arrest minutes later.

Court documents allege care and treatment were 'not provided in a safe way' to both girls. A coroner recorded a narrative verdict in 2024 for Zadie, stating her death could have been 'prevented' if staff had followed national sepsis guidelines. The trust's group chief executive Adam Sewell-Jones said the trust was working with the CQC but could not comment further due to the ongoing legal process. The trust was expected to enter pleas at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on 3 December.

How it is being reported

• Mid and South Essex NHS Trust taken to court after girls, two and three, died from sepsisZadie Ajetunmobi, 3, and Selina Samarina, 2, died after being treated at Broomfield Hospital in Essex. The NHS trust running the hospital faces three charges over allegations its care was not provided safelyThe Mirror · 21 Oct, 08:25
• NHS trust prosecuted over deaths of two young children from sepsis after they were sent home from hospitalZadie Ajetunmobi, right, was three when she died at Broomfield Hospital in Essex in November 2022. Selina Samarina, two, died two days after she was sent home by a doctor at the hospital in April 2024.Daily Mail · 20 Oct, 14:09

In this story: Zadie Ajetunmobi · Selina Samarina · Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust · Broomfield Hospital · Care Quality Commission · Essex · Chelmsford Magistrates' Court

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