Four-year-old boy died of sepsis after being 'told to take Calpol' - parents seek answers about son's tragic death

Time has ‘stood still’ for the family of a little boy who died of sepsis after allegedly being told to take Calpol. Four-year-old Daniel was taken to the Royal Free Hospital in Camden, London, four times in the week before his death but was consistently discharged.

It was during the second and third visit the couple claim doctors advised them to give their son Calpol and Ibuprofen. On the fourth visit Daniel, who had autism, was admitted to the children’s emergency department with sepsis and died hours later. 

His parents, Lindita Alushi and Kastriot Klosi, are now hoping to get answers about what happened in an upcoming inquest. Mum Lindita, a pharmacy assistant and qualified doctor in her native Albania, said: “Daniel was the most adorable little boy and we were so blessed that he was our son. He loved cooking and baking with me.

"He loved animals, listening to stories and playing with his friends. Daniel was very inquisitive and curious. He was just an absolute delight. We still struggle to understand what happened to Daniel and why.

“We kept taking him to hospital and were really concerned about his condition but nothing can prepare you for being told your little boy has died. That day our family changed forever. Our days are filled with distress, emptiness and sorrow.”

The couple have enlisted help from specialist medical negligence lawyers at Irwin Mitchell and the inquest into Daniel's death is due to start on August 13 at Poplar Coroner’s Court. The inquest is expected to last two days and the family hope it will provide some much needed answers. 

Lindita, 44, said: "While time has moved on it has stood still for our family because of the many unanswered questions around what happened to Daniel. Every day we wonder if more could have been done to save our little boy.

"We know that hearing everything again at the inquest will be incredibly difficult, but it’s something we need to do to honour our son and get the answers we’ve been seeking for more than a year.”

Daniel’s parents first took him to A&E at the Royal Free Hospital on March 26, 2023, where he was sent home only a couple of hours later. On the Thursday night they returned to the hospital, concerned about Daniel’s breathing but he was discharged in the early hours of Friday. 

The pair continued to be concerned about their son’s condition, who they said had stopped eating, and took him back on Saturday, April 1, where they were sent home yet again. They returned with Daniel at around 4pm where after around four hours in A&E he was finally admitted. 

However, his condition deteriorated, and he died in the early hours of Sunday, April 2. 

Lucy Macklin, the medical negligence lawyer representing the couple, said: “Attempting to try and come to terms with Daniel’s death and the events leading up to it has been incredibly difficult for Lindita and Kastriot. Understandably they continue to have many questions and concerns about the care their son received and Daniel’s death. 

“While nothing will ever make up for Daniel’s death, we’re determined to support his loved ones so they at least can be provided with the vital answers they deserve. The inquest is a major milestone in being able to do this.

“If during the course of the hearing any issues in the care Daniel received are identified, it’s vital that lessons are learned to improve patient safety for others.”

A spokesperson from Royal Free London said: “We are deeply saddened by the death of Daniel and once again would like to send our sincere condolences to his family. We have carried out an investigation into Daniel’s care and the findings were shared with his family. We await the outcome of the inquest.”