A father is still in pursuit of justice nearly three years after his five-year-old son passed away due to suspected shortcomings in NHS care. Haroon Rashid, a 43-year-old resident of Sheffield, has been tirelessly seeking answers since the tragic death of his son, Muhammad Ayaan Haroon, known as Ayaan, in March 2023. Earlier this year, a preliminary report shed light on the family’s distressing experience during bereavement care, revealing that hospital staff were heard laughing as Ayaan’s life support was turned off.
The family is demanding a fresh inquiry following a report by Niche Health and Social Care Consulting, which concluded that enhancements in Ayaan’s treatment would not have altered the outcome. They allege that significant NHS deficiencies contributed to his demise, citing delays in administering high-flow oxygen, a chest drain, and intubation. Haroon, a taxi driver with three daughters, lamented, “I witnessed Ayaan’s suffering for those eight days. His life was not lost due to his inability to combat the illness but due to critical lapses in his care.”
Ayaan, who suffered from the rare genetic condition Hace 1 and had a history of respiratory problems, had been hospitalized at Sheffield Children’s Hospital on five occasions before succumbing to overwhelming disseminated adenovirus bronchopneumonia in 2023. The report highlighted subpar care received by Ayaan, emphasizing the delayed initiation of high-flow oxygen therapy and a four-hour delay in transferring him to the pediatric intensive care unit.
For Haroon, the ongoing battle with the NHS has compounded the anguish of losing his son. He expressed frustration with the NHS complaints process, labeling it as overly complex. Adding to his distress, an inadvertent email from NHS chief executive Sir Jim Mackey’s office disclosed personal information about the family’s case to multiple journalists.
The Rashid family’s ordeal has drawn parallels with the tragic death of Yusuf Nazir at Sheffield Children’s Hospital. Yusuf’s family criticized a report on their case, alleging a cover-up, and are advocating for “Yusuf’s Law” to ensure parents’ concerns are heard by medical professionals. Haroon also highlighted the resilience of his 15-year-old daughter Aroob, who has the same condition as Ayaan. Despite her loss, she has channeled her grief into charitable work and advocacy for children like her brother.
Dr. Jeff Perring, the Executive Medical Director at Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, stated, “We are committed to working closely with the family to understand and learn from their experience.” A spokesperson for Niche mentioned that the family could pursue their grievances with the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman if desired.