‘Don’t leave me dad’: inquiry told of leukaemia teenager’s last words

Kathryn Beattie, 13, died the day after her diagnosis following brain surgery at the Southern General Hospital in Glasgow on 21 June, 2004.

The teenager had been diagnosed with leukaemia, and died following an operation her parents were told was “essential and live-saving”.

The inquiry, held at Glasgow Sheriff Court, heard that after being taken to the Victoria Infirmary, the family were told she had leukaemia and a bleed to the brain which would be treated at another hospital.

Before being moved to another hospital Kathryn was sedated and her parents were told this was a normal procedure.

Kathryn’s aunt, Dr Rosaleen Beattie, who is a consultant in palliative care, gave evidence at the inquiry yesterday. She said that she had been concerned about Kathryn’s treatment.

She went to the hospital after her niece arrived and was there when she was being transferred to the Southern General by a medical team.

Dr Beattie said that Kathryn had been fully conscious before she was sedated and had spoken to her father.

When asked by procurator fiscal depute Laura Millar what she had said, Dr Beattie replied: “She said ‘don’t leave me dad’”. She added: “I believe she said stay with me but I can’t be specific.”

She said that this was the last time she heard the teenager speak.

Kathryn was moved to the Southern General following blood results which showed she had a low platelet count of 13 – the normal reading is between 150 and 400 – and that she had leukaemia.

Dr Beattie said she was “horrified” to hear her niece’s platelet count was so low. She told the inquiry that on arrival at the Southern General, a doctor told the family that Kathryn needed surgery to remove a blood clot that was pressing on her brain, causing bleeding. Dr Beattie said they were told the surgery was “essential and life saving” and that it was “very safe”.

The inquiry heard that following surgery, the family were initially told that it was expected Kathryn would make a good recovery.

Dr Beattie said there were no blood products given to Kathryn after her surgery and that she was concerned because her niece needed more platelets.

After another brain scan the family were told that Kathryn’s recovery was unlikely. Before taking the decision to switch her ventilator off, the family had wanted a second opinion.

Dr Beattie said she phoned consultant colleagues to arrange second opinion after Dr Douglas Walker had told the family they were not to have one.

However, it was heard that the second consultant switched the ventilator off while the family were out of the room before delivering the news.

Dr Beattie said that when her brother was told it had been disconnected he said: “You mean she’s dying, she’s dying alone.”

The inquiry before Sheriff Linda Ruxton continues