Parents of baby overdosed with paracetamol at Glasgow children's hospital demand independent investigation

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The lawyer representing the parents of a baby who was given a paracetamol overdose at Glasgow’s Royal Hospital for Children has demanded a full investigation into the incident.

Ten-week-old Zohan Ul Hassan spent two weeks in critical condition after being given ten times the correct dose of paracetamol on March 18.

Zohan was undergoing a routine hernia operation when the mistake occurred.

Due to a swelling on his brain, doctors can’t yet tell whether he has suffered permanent brain damage or a loss of vision caused by the overdose.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has accepted responsibility for the incident, and an internal investigation is under way.

Distraught parents Ahad and Hira say they have lost all confidence in the hospital – bringing Zohan home to look after him themselves.

He was discharged on Tuesday after being examined by doctors.

The family’s lawyer, Aamer Anwar, has written to the hospital expressing “serious concerns and distress”.

In a statement, Mr Anwar said the hospital has “breached its duty of care” and urged the Crown Office to conduct an investigation.

“It’s clear there have been catastrophic failures not just in the case of Zohan, but many other babies – this cannot be allowed to continue,” he said.

“Parents have the right to expect when their sick children are taken to hospital, they will be given the very best in medical treatment.

“The Royal Hospital for Children (RHC) stands accused of breaching its duty of care – in some cases children have died. The question for Crown Office, is how long this can be allowed to continue.

“A culture of silence and fear at this hospital has allowed negligence to thrive, that has to stop. We are now considering a number of cases and will be asking for the Crown Office to carry out a full independent investigation into all similar incidents at this unit.”

The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service said it had not yet received a report or any other information in relation to Zohan and his family.

Dr Claire Harrow, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s deputy medical director for Acute Services, said: “Due to patient confidentiality, we cannot go into detail on Zohan’s case, however we are pleased that he is doing well and was clinically fit for discharge this week.

“We would encourage Zohan’s parents to contact us so we can arrange a time to discuss their concerns in more detail.”