Boy given Nurofen for lethal brain injury

EXCLUSIVE

by Alex Morrison

A SCHOOLBOY with a life-threatening brain injury was given Nurofen and told "you can go home in half an hour".

Just hours after East Surrey Hospital doctors gave Pele Francis children's painkillers, London surgeons drilled six holes in his skull to keep him alive.

The 13-year-old needed 50 staples in his head after the operation to relieve fluid on the brain.

Pele, named after the famous Brazilian footballer, developed the lethal condition after an apparently minor BMX accident at Crawley Skate Park.

Angry dad Adrian Francis, from Southgate, criticised East Surrey doctors.

The 48-year-old said: "They gave him children's painkillers and said if he did not feel sick in half an hour he could go home. If I had taken him home he would have died."

Mr Francis, of Southgate Drive, went to the skate park after Pele was briefly knocked unconscious on May 30.

They reached East Surrey at around 7.45pm and Mr Francis says a doctor saw Pele but failed to spot the life-threatening condition.

The father-of-three added: "I know my son so I knew there was more to it. It's not like him to moan about pain.

"All of a sudden he started shouting and screaming then he passed out. Another doctor arrived and gave him a scan which showed fluid on the brain.

"If they had left him any longer or if I had brought him home he wouldn't be here now."

Pele was then rushed to St George's Hospital in Tooting.

Mr Francis said: "I knew it was serious. Pele was in surgery for about four hours. They drilled six holes in his head. He needed about 50 staples when they were finished.

"He still had one tube coming out of his head when I saw him after surgery."

East Surrey Hospital have defended their treatment of Pele.

A hospital spokeswoman said: "He showed no signs of a serious injury and received appropriate care and treatment for the condition.

"He was kept in for further observation in line with NICE guidelines and during this time his condition worsened so hospital staff took appropriate measures.

"The Trust has not received a formal complaint on this matter but we would welcome the opportunity to discuss Mr Francis's concerns."

Pele, who celebrated his 13th birthday last Wednesday, has made a full recovery.

He started at Thomas Bennett School on Monday.

Mr Francis spoke to the News after reading how 23-year-old Katherine Kurtanjek, from Copthorne, died of fluid on the brain on August 22.