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Teen's Death Spurs Call for National Propofol Rules
9 Dec
Summary
- A 15-year-old died from continuous Propofol sedation.
- Coroner warned of risks due to lack of national guidelines.
- New trust guidance could have prevented the teenager's death.
A coroner has officially raised alarms about the lack of national guidelines governing the use of the potent sedative Propofol. This concern emerged following the tragic death of 15-year-old Antonio Galisi-Swallow in October 2021.
Antonio died at Leeds General Infirmary after receiving a continuous infusion of Propofol for six days. An inquest concluded that his death was a direct result of the sedative's effects. The hospital trust has since implemented new internal guidelines, which an expert witness suggested could have saved Antonio's life.
Coroner Oliver Longstaff formally noted his concerns to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), emphasizing the potential for further preventable deaths. Antonio's family described his demise as traumatic and avoidable, highlighting a critical need for robust national oversight in the administration of such powerful medications.
