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Dylan’s story

“It should not take the preventable harm of anyone so that others can be spared.”

Before falling ill in December 2022, Dylan was a healthy, curious, and creative 9-year-old. He loved coding, speed cubing, building Lego, and anything that involved solving problems or exploring the world with a bright, inquisitive mind. He was a unique blend of feisty and sensitive, driven by a deep sense of justice and compassion.

Dylan tragically died following a series of system failures, including a catalogue of errors during his first hospital attendance, issues with the hospital’s ‘open access’, and missed opportunities within the NHS 111 service.

When he returned to hospital, treatment was found to be timely but sub-optimal, leading to cardiac arrests and further reducing his chance of survival. These failures were avoidable.

Today, Dylan’s family is bravely sharing his story, carrying forward the voice he no longer has, and campaigning so that no other child, parent, or family must experience compounded harm.

“Driven by a sense of justice, Dylan sought to right wrongs,” they tell us. “It should not take the preventable harm of anyone so that others can be spared.”

Their message to others who feel alone in this process is simple: “If you have experienced compounded harm during an investigation, please know you’re not alone. Join the fight by campaigning to help spare others.”

And their message to those shaping healthcare is clear: “Please ensure systems have robust safeguards in place to help keep patients safe; mitigate room for error and address risky practice and unsafe culture. Don’t wait for a catastrophe to review them; when things go wrong, please remember to put humanity before processes at all times for all involved.”

Dylan’s mum Corinne, alongside many others, calls for a safer and more transparent NHS through the campaign Keeping the NHS Honest. “I am now Dylan’s voice, working to improve safety for others and improve NHS investigations to avoid compounded harm for all and ensure optimal, meaningful learning.”