Jax Jefferys: Jury concludes five-year-old died of natural causes after contracting invasive Strep A sepsis
An inquest into the death of a five-year-old boy has concluded
An inquest into the death of a five-year-old has concluded with a jury delivering a unanimous verdict.
An 11-person jury at Winchester Coroner’s Court has today (June 12) decided that Waterlooville schoolboy, Jax Jefferys, died of natural causes.
A five-day inquest, which commenced on Monday, June 8, heard how the Morelands Primary School pupil died on December 1, 2022 at Queen Alexandra Hospital after contracting invasive Strep A sepsis.
A member of the jury said Jax received “appropriate” treatment while in the care of QA hospital the day before his death.
During the court proceedings, the jury heard how Jax’s symptoms of a persistent barking cough and fever started in the early hours of November 28, when he awoke unable to catch his breath.
An assessment conducted by paramedics following a 999 call by Jax’s mum, Charlene McCormack, established he was not in immediate danger and he should visit his local GP - Southbourne Surgery - if his condition worsened.
On November 30, Ms McCormack took Jax to the emergency department at Queen Alexandra Hospital where he was evaluated by Dr Refat Parveen and Dr Marit Ohrndorf, a paediatric consultant, during his stay.
While in hospital, Dr Parveen drew a conclusion of tonsillitis but his mum was concerned there was something more serious.
She previously told the court how Jax “looked atrocious” and she asked to change doctors as she felt she “wasn’t being listened to.”
Dr Ohrndorf told the court earlier this week how Dr Parveen consulted her about Jax’s case and with the information provided, she formed a “diagnosis in line with the flu”, confirmed by a positive Influenza A swab result.
She said: “If I would have at any stage thought that I was unhappy with Jax leaving or there was any other concern of what the condition was, I would have not have allowed him to leave the hospital.”
Blood tests were also ordered, showing signs of dehydration. The jury heard how if a blood gas test was completed, it may have shown indicators of sepsis.
Jax spent the day at home on the sofa, but just after 7pm his parents made the decision to take him back to hospital after he complained of being unable to feel his legs.
During the short drive to QA, Jax became unresponsive and Ms McCormack had to perform CPR on him.
Upon hospital arrival, Dr David Patel and a team of doctors spent 90 minutes using life saving techniques, but Jax was sadly pronounced dead just after 10pm.
Steve Thomas, Chief Nursing Officer at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, said, “We would like to express our deepest condolences to Jax’s family for the sudden and heartbreaking loss of a clearly much-loved little boy. Our thoughts remain with them at what has been an incredibly difficult time for all involved.
“Our staff are committed to providing safe, compassionate care to every patient. We continue to strengthen how we listen to families and respond when concerns are raised. This includes, over the past year, increasing awareness of our Outreach Team, who can support families in escalating concerns if they feel someone is getting worse, helping us act as quickly as possible.”
In a statement, which was read out in court earlier this week, Jax’s mum said: “When Jax died, my heart was taken away. He was my only little boy. He was such a wanted and loved child. Jax was unforgettable - everyone had a story about him. He was an amazing boy.”