'Doctors told us to just give our four-year-old Calpol - 7 days later he was dead'

Daniel Klosi died from sepsis after being sent home three times in a week
-Credit:Lindita Alushi and Kastriot Klosi


Devastated parents of a dead autistic child have received a payout and apology after hospital malpractice killed their son. Daniel Klosi, four, was sent home from the Royal Free Hospital in Camden three times in the week before he died from sepsis, having been told to take Calpol.

He was first taken to the Kentish Town A&E and sent home two hours later on Sunday, March 26 2023. Four days later on Thursday, March 30, Daniel returned after his parents his parents, Lindita Alushi, 41, and Kastriot Klosi, 51, had concerns for his breathing.

They were discharged in the early hours of the Friday morning and told to give Daniel Calpol and ibuprofen. By Saturday, April 1, Lindita and Kastriot said Daniel had stopped eating and were sent away with the same advice as the previous morning.

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Daniel Klosi died from sepsis after being sent home three times in a week
Daniel Klosi died from sepsis after being sent home three times in a week -Credit:Lindita Alushi and Kastriot Klosi

At 4pm the same day they returned and claimed that after around four hours in A&E, Daniel was admitted. However, his condition deteriorated, and he died in the early hours of Sunday, April 2. During Daniel’s third visit, hospital staff didn’t read Daniel’s medical records or get a full history from his parents, the inquest heard.

Nor did medics order blood tests or administer life-saving intravenous antibiotics, an inquest heard. During the inquest in August 2024, a coroner said Daniel, went to hospital with “atypical” sepsis symptoms.

But there was “profound” lack of recognition of the ways in which a septic neurodivergent child can present. Coroner Mary Hassell said medics believed Daniel was alert when he was agitated.

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If intravenous antibiotics had been given to Daniel during his third visit, he would have survived, the coroner said.

She added medical staff needed to “pay even more attention than usual” to parents and their concerns regarding their child’s health. While Daniel had shown some signs of sepsis in children - such as a high temperature and vomiting - he did not appear to be lethargic.

After Irwin Mitchell brought a separate civil case on the family’s behalf, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, offered to pay the family an undisclosed out of court settlement, which has been accepted. The family was also given an official personal apology from health bosses.

In a letter to Lindita, sent via her legal team at Irwin Mitchell, Peter Landstrom, group chief executive of Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust said he was “very sorry that it was necessary” that Daniel’s family had to raise concerns about his care during a “distressing time”.

Daniel and his dad Kastriot Klosi stroking a cat
Daniel and his dad Kastriot Klosi stroking a cat -Credit:Lindita Alushi and Kastriot Klosi

The letter - dated January 2 2025 - read: “I am aware that there has been an inquest and the Trust takes the coroner’s conclusions very seriously. The Trust is truly sorry that the events in the lead up to Daniel’s death occurred and on behalf of the Trust, and all the staff involved, I would like to apologise unreservedly for the devastating outcome.”

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Lucy Macklin, the expert medical negligence lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing the family, said: “Lindita and Kastriot remain devastated by his death, and in particular that an inquest ruled it could have been avoided if Daniel had received the care he deserved.

“While nothing will ever make up for the family’s loss we’re pleased to have at least secured this settlement and apology allowing Daniel’s loved ones to access the specialist support they require to try and come to terms with his death the best they can.

“Not only is Daniel’s death a stark reminder of the dangers of sepsis and how early detection, and treatment are key to beating it, it also vividly highlights how neurodivergent children may present with different symptoms and the importance of health professionals fully listening to parents and acting on their concerns.

“We continue to support the family’s campaign to improve patient safety for neurodivergent children.”

‘He didn’t deserve to die like he did’

Grieving mum Lindita said "I’ll never be able to find the words to describe the anger, hurt and pain we continue to wake with each day"
Grieving mum Lindita said "I’ll never be able to find the words to describe the anger, hurt and pain we continue to wake with each day" -Credit:Lindita Alushi and Kastriot Klosi

Lindita, a qualified doctor in her native Albania who has since passed exams to become a doctor in the UK, said: “I’ll never be able to find the words to describe the anger, hurt and pain we continue to wake with each day following Daniel’s death. What happened to Daniel, and especially the care issues he faced, will live with us forever.

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“Daniel was such a sweet and adorable little boy. We felt so blessed that he was our son. He brought so much happiness and sunshine to our lives. He didn’t deserve to die like he did because the hospital staff wouldn’t listen to our concerns. That he could have been saved is the most difficult thing to come to terms with.

“Medical staff should never make assumptions about a child’s condition such as I believe they did in Daniel’s case. That he was taken to hospital four times in a week indicated something was seriously wrong and we were right to be extremely concerned about his condition.

“All parents know their children the best, and that’s especially the case with parents of children with conditions such as autism. We know their behaviour, their routines and can speak for them when they may not be able to speak for themselves.

“This has never been about money but getting justice for Daniel and trying to ensure what happened to him doesn’t happen again. I wouldn’t wish what we’re going through on anyone.

“We take some comfort from finally having an apology from the Trust but remain hurt at the length of time it has taken. The Trust publicly apologised at the time of the inquest but it’s only now that we have an in-person apology.

“We still feel proper action, and not just platitudes, needs to be taken to improve how children with autism and other conditions are treated. If by continuing to speak out we can save others, maybe Daniel’s death won’t have been totally in vain.”

A Royal Free London spokesperson said: “We are deeply sorry that Daniel died while under our care and would like to share our heartfelt condolences with his family and loved ones. Following a thorough investigation, we identified a number of areas for improvement, and measures were taken to immediately address these.

“This included improving training and awareness for all of our staff, particularly in relation to children who repeatedly visit our emergency departments; how we care for children with learning disabilities; and the importance of listening to parents and carers when they raise concerns. We will continue to do all we can to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of sepsis among all of our staff."

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