A TODDLER was prescribed a massive overdose of antibiotics by a doctor at Stepping Hill - after he referred to the wrong drug in his handbook.

Thomas Garner’s mum, Tracey, decided to go public about the mistake after claims of a similar blunder at the same Stockport hospital.

Last week, the Stockport Express revealed that an investigation had been launched into claims the hospital prescribed a newborn baby, Dylan Endsor, with ten times a recommended drugs dose.

Two-week-old Dylan’s parents from Reddish claimed they were given a prescription that induced vomiting, drowsiness and severe weight loss in their son.

And now Mrs Garner, of Chapel-en-le-Frith, has told how a doctor at the hospital apologised after he wrote a prescription for two-year-old Thomas which was more than 10 times the recommended dose of antibiotic.

She and her husband, George, had taken their son, now three, for appointments at Stepping Hill about his recurring tonsillitis. In June, the toddler could not be examined by his usual doctor, but was seen by Dr Darshane, who prescribed him a six-week course of 24ml trimethoprim – which equates to five spoonfuls of the medicine a day.

Within a week, he became lethargic and pale. The mum-of-three took Thomas to his GP, who took him off the medication, stating that the dose was too high.

He asked her to reclaim the hand-written prescription from the pharmacy and wrote a letter of complaint to the hospital.

In a response, Dr Darshane admitted it was ‘indeed a very large dose for a two-year-old boy weighing 13kg’. Thomas should have been prescribed just 2mg per kg (2 ml) daily.

Dr Darshane wrote: “Unfortunately, I referred to the dose of co-trimoxazole instead of trimethoprim, I apologise for putting Thomas and his parents through unnecessary anxiety.”

Mrs Garner, 37, said: “I was seething. A friend of mine who is a nurse said Thomas could have had serious kidney failure if he’d completed the six-week course. I had to take him for blood tests to make sure he would be okay.

“I was given about five or six bottles by the pharmacist. I thought it was a lot, but I trusted the professionals. Now I’m nervous about my kids being seen by a doctor I don’t know. When Thomas had his tonsils out, I had to check who was doing the operation. These mistakes cannot be allowed to happen – someone else may not spot it.”

James Catania, medical director of Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The Trust can confirm Thomas Garner was prescribed a dose of antibiotics in error. This was discovered and the doctor concerned apologised. We regret any distress that may have been caused and are pleased Thomas did not suffer any after-effects.”

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