On 11 April last year radiographer Wendy Egan dropped off her five-month-old son Thomas at his nursery. Two hours later he was dead, his death caused in part by an acute allergic reaction. Now childcarers around the country are seeking to learn from the case and take steps to ensure that such a tragedy can never be repeated.
Thomas's parents and staff at Brownswood Nursery, Milton Keynes, knew of his milk allergy, but a breakdown in communication and procedures resulted in Thomas being fed a cereal containing milk products.
That morning, nursery nurse Crystal Norman hadn't spoken to Mrs Egan and instead asked Katie Moat (now Toon), an untrained support worker, if Thomas had had his breakfast. Ms Moat replied that he had had his milk, which Ms Norman took to mean that he had not had breakfast. Despite Thomas never usually having breakfast at the nursery, Ms Norman proceeded to prepare the cereal.
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