July 2nd 2024.
A doctor who was responsible for treating a young toddler before her tragic death from sepsis has come forward to admit that he may have overlooked certain crucial steps during the child's deteriorating health. This heartbreaking incident occurred at a regional hospital in New South Wales, Australia, where two-year-old Pippa Mae White passed away just before her third birthday on June 13, 2022. Pippa had been admitted to the hospital the day before, after falling ill with a fever, vomiting, and diarrhoea. Tests revealed that she had pneumonia, with one of her lungs completely white on the x-ray.
As the inquest into Pippa's death continued, Dr. Christopher Morris was questioned about the steps he had taken to treat her on June 12 and 13. The junior doctor admitted that he should have escalated Pippa's care earlier when her heart rate had increased to what was medically referred to as the "red zone." Pippa was also grunting and showed signs of abdominal pain, which Morris now recognizes as symptoms of sepsis. Videos of the young girl grunting while breathing were shown in the court, with one particular video showing her resting her head on her mother's shoulder.
During his testimony, Morris revealed that he had ordered blood tests instead of immediately escalating the case because he wanted to have as much information as possible when discussing the situation with his superiors. However, he now realizes that this was an oversight on his part, as he should have called for a rapid response team. He clarified that this was not a deliberate decision, but rather an error of judgment on his part.
Morris also explained that he had consulted with a pediatrician, Dr. Adam Buckmaster, about Pippa's condition and they had formed a treatment plan involving antibiotics, fluids, and blood tests to monitor her progress. However, he did not immediately inform Dr. Buckmaster about the signs of infection on the x-ray, as he was afraid of basing his diagnosis on a low-resolution image. He waited to get the actual x-ray after the machine had been turned off and wheeled out of the ward. Dr. Buckmaster arrived at the hospital several hours later to take over Pippa's treatment.
Struggling to hold back his emotions, Morris admitted that he did not feel that his diagnosis of Pippa was solely based on her viral infection, but rather that he had kept an open mind about other potential causes. He acknowledged that he had made an error of judgment, and if he could turn back time, he would have made different decisions. As the doctor gave his testimony, Pippa's family and supporters gathered in the courtroom, wearing her favorite color, yellow. A large portrait of the young girl wearing a yellow dress, running through a field of yellow flowers surrounded by butterflies, was displayed in the courtroom.
Under questioning by the lawyers representing Pippa's parents, Morris also accepted that he may have been fatigued at the time after working a full shift and then being on call when he was examining Pippa. He also mentioned that the roster at Orange Hospital had been changed after Pippa's death, which he inferred was a response to the tragedy. The inquest, led by Deputy State Coroner Joan Baptie, will investigate whether the treatment and care given to Pippa at Cowra and Orange Hospitals were adequate and appropriate. She will also consider making recommendations to prevent similar deaths in the future. The hearing will continue tomorrow.
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