Date and time: 31 July 2025 from 9:00am
The family press conference will be held immediately following publication of the Patient Safety Investigation Report (IPSI) into the death of five-year-old Yusuf Mahmud Nazir, who died at Sheffield Children’s Hospital on 23 November 2022.
The long awaited second Patient Safety Investigation Report (IPSI) will be published on Thursday 31 July 2025 at 9.30am.
Access to the family’s press conference will be from 9:00 am with the report released at 9.30am. This will deal with the family’s views on the report’s findings followed by a Q&A session.
Speakers include:
- Soniya Ahmed: Yusuf’s Mum;
- Zaheer Ahmed: Yusuf’s Uncle;
- Jade: Member of Public who reported her concerns about Yusuf’s breathing to staff at Rotherham General Hospital;
- Anna Thwaites: Partner at Bindmans representing Yusuf’s family; and
- Sarah Champion: MP for Rotherham.
Background
Yusuf Mahmud Nazir died on 23 November 2022 at Sheffield Children’s Hospital. Yusuf started feeling ill on Sunday 13 November 2022. He was seen by his GP surgery on 15 November 2022 and it was believed he had tonsillitis. Oral antibiotics were prescribed.
Due to Yusuf’s Mum’s concerns about his breathing, she took him to the Emergency Department at Rotherham General Hospital later that evening on 15/16 November 2022. A member of the public who was in the hospital waiting area was so concerned about Yusuf’s presentation that she reported this to staff, who said Yusuf’s Mum should come to reception. Yusuf was eventually seen by a doctor and released with more oral antibiotics.
When Yusuf’s presentation failed to improve by Friday 18 November 2022, Yusuf’s Mum returned to the GP surgery in the morning. Shortly afterwards, Yusuf’s Uncle called Rotherham General Hospital Children’s Ward asking for Yusuf to be admitted for IV antibiotics. Zaheer Ahmed was told on the phone that ‘we don’t have any bed or doctors available.’ An ambulance was called, and Yusuf was eventually taken to Sheffield Children’s Hospital.
Yusuf transferred from the Emergency Department at Sheffield Children’s Hospital to Ward 4 where he stayed over the weekend. Yusuf’s condition deteriorated during the night of 20/21 November 2022. On Monday 21 November 2022, Yusuf was transferred to the High Dependency Unit (HDU), where he sadly died on Wednesday 23 November 2022 in the morning.
The medical cause of death currently recorded on Yusuf’s death certificate is:
I (a) Type 1 Respiratory Failure
(b) Pneumonia
II Tonsillitis
The family have continually raised concerns about the care and treatment that Yusuf Mahmud Nazir received between 18-23 November 2022. This led to an ‘independent’ report being commissioned by South Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (supported by NHS England North East and Yorkshire) from Niche Health and Social Care Consulting in 2022. This report was published on 5 October 2023. Yusuf’s family were highly dissatisfied with the report.
Following the family meeting with the former Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Victoria Atkins, a second investigation was commissioned by NHS England into Yusuf’s death. This is a highly unusual step.
The family has subsequently met with Wes Streeting MP as shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and then in post in December 2024.
Terms of Reference for the second investigation were set in Autumn 2024 and the embargo on the final report will be lifted on Thursday 31 July 2025 at 9.30am.
The family will be holding a press conference dealing with the report’s findings and next steps.
Should you wish to attend the press conference, please contact press@bindmans.com.