Parents Sue Hospital Trust Over Missed Deafness Diagnosis

The parents of Tommie Denman, a young boy diagnosed with profound deafness at the age of three and a half, have initiated legal action against the Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust. They claim the hospital’s failure to identify his hearing loss during multiple tests over three years has had lasting consequences on his development.

Tommie’s parents, Kirstie and Gavin Denman, assert that specialists reassured them repeatedly, citing his premature birth at 29 weeks as the likely reason for his developmental delays. They were told that boys often take longer to develop than girls and were advised not to worry. Despite their persistent concerns regarding Tommie’s hearing, they faced dismissive responses from medical professionals.

The Trust has since acknowledged that Tommie was born with a hearing loss and exhibited several “red flag” signs that should have been detected earlier. It was only after his eighth hearing test that he was formally diagnosed as profoundly deaf, at which point he was fitted with hearing aids that proved ineffective. This delay in diagnosis has led the Denmans to seek representation from Hudgell Solicitors, a firm specializing in medical negligence cases. They aim to ensure Tommie receives the necessary support and therapy for his condition.

The Denmans’ concerns were highlighted during a national audit initiated by the British Academy of Audiology (BAA), which investigated the audiology departments at both the Diana Princess of Wales Hospital in Grimsby and Scunthorpe General Hospital. The audit revealed significant failings within these departments, including poorly equipped facilities and a lack of proper training for staff responsible for conducting hearing tests.

According to the BAA, the review identified a “high risk” in the services provided, with testing rooms improperly set up, leading to incorrect responses being recorded during assessments. It noted that there was a lack of scientific knowledge and critical appraisal in the audiology practices at both facilities. The investigation concluded that these systemic issues could have resulted in many children, like Tommie, being misdiagnosed or undiagnosed altogether.

Kirstie Denman expressed her frustration and concern over the impact of these failures, not only on her son but potentially on numerous other children. She recalled instances where medical professionals dismissed her observations about Tommie’s hearing, stating, “If we hadn’t been so insistent…he wouldn’t have been recalled for testing.” She emphasized that had Tommie received cochlear implants before the age of 18 months, he might have developed speech and language skills more in line with his peers.

Following the BAA review, the Diana Princess of Wales Hospital was closed, and multiple services at Scunthorpe were paused to facilitate a large-scale patient recall. The Trust admitted that poor management and training led to the delayed diagnosis of hearing impairments, stating that earlier intervention could significantly improve outcomes for children.

In their communication with the Denmans, the Trust acknowledged the failings within their audiology department, admitting that tests were conducted improperly, and results were not conveyed to external organizations for necessary assessments. They conceded that a more robust training program and improved clinical governance could have prevented the oversight that affected Tommie.

As Tommie approaches the transition to secondary school, his parents express pride in his progress despite the challenges he faces. “He’s doing well and he’s happy,” Kirstie said. “He is making amazing progress.” However, they remain concerned about whether he will have the same opportunities as his peers due to the delays in his diagnosis and treatment.

The Trust has expressed regret over the situation, stating, “We’d like to apologise to Tommie’s family. However, we’re unable to comment on individual cases because of ongoing legal proceedings.” Following the review, the Trust has implemented recommendations aimed at enhancing staff training and improving facilities, with a commitment to ensuring safe and effective audiology services moving forward.

The Denmans continue to advocate not only for their son but also for other children who may be living with undiagnosed hearing impairments. They fear that without proper testing and intervention, many may face significant developmental challenges that could alter the course of their lives.