Preventable Toddler Death Sparks Hospital Changes

0:00A corner just ruled that the death of 21-month-old Sandy Pondar at John Delup Health Campus was probably preventable. The toddler passed away on March 24, 2024, from complications of undiagnosed acute limpoblastic leukemia. Key issue was the hospital's failure to run a simple blood test despite parents pushing for it. Parents took Sandy Pan to the emergency department twice in three days, first on March 22. He'd had fevers for 20 days, chalked up to viral tonsilitis, staff thought he looked fine, vital signs improved, and sent him home without the test. His condition crashed fast after that. During the inquest last May, nurses and doctors said the family's requests weren't insistent enough, and one senior consultant missed a GP letter. Urging blood work. Experts agreed nothing, screamed leukemia right away, but the corner said persistent fevers and parental worry should have triggered more checks. Acting state corner Sarah Linton called it more than a missed opportunity, saying the

1:01test likely would have caught the cancer early and saved him. She issued six recommendations for better staff training, processes, and handling cultural differences and how parents express concern. This echoes a 2021 report on another child's death with similar mischances. The corner assured the family, Sandy Pan's story is sparking real changes at the hospital to protect kids moving forward. From your city, powered by AI, this is Sydney News Today, I'm Corey with The Storing.