Vancouver Island family hopes son’s preventable death can motivate meaningful changes to health care

The parents of a young Vancouver Island boy who died in hospital are calling for urgent systemic changes.

Eleven-year-old Brayden Robbins, described as vibrant and active, died as a result of excess fluid and a bleed on his brain last November. The Comox boy’s family says the tragedy was entirely preventable.

“We do not want any other child to suffer like Brayden did,” his mother, Nikki Robbins, told CTV Tuesday.

Robbins, a nurse of 25 years, wants changes to the health-care system that she says failed her son. The recommended changes include better training and staffing levels in pediatric medicine, and family centred care that involves health-care workers listening to the advocacy of children’s families.

“I have dedicated my whole career to improving health care and trying to make it better, and here I am as a family member who has been a part of a health-care system that has failed,” said Robbins.

Brayden was born with mild cerebral palsy and had a series of brain surgeries that allowed him to live an active, regular life.

OnNov. 12, when he suddenly developed tingling in his face, severe head and neck pain and a tilted head, he was taken to Comox Valley Hospital. Despite his symptoms and history, he was sent home with pain killers but without a CT scan or further care.

“Not at any point did anyone say to us, ‘what do we need to know about Brayden so that we can give him the best care possible?’,” notes Robbins.

Six days later, his condition had deteriorated. He was screaming in pain.

“On the way to the hospital, Brayden told us he was dying,” said his mother.

Again, despite advocacy from his parents, it took five hours for a CT scan, that diagnosed the brain bleed, to be administered. But it was too late, especially with no pediatrician there and emergency transport to a bigger hospital unavailable for hours. Brayden died the next morning.

“Things that were not in place, that should have been in place, that would have given Brayden a better chance of survival,” said Robbins, holding back tears Tuesday.

The family wrote to Health Minister Josie Osborne June 23, seeking a meeting. They hadn’t heard back by Monday, so their local MLA, B.C. Conservative Brennan Day, amplified their concerns with an additional letter to Osborne Tuesday.

“We know the system is fraying around the edges and we’re feeling it, based on reporting from across the province, most acutely in pediatrics and ERs,” said Day, Tuesday.

Osborne released a statement late Tuesday afternoon that said, “We must learn from tragic cases like these and do everything possible to avoid another family having to go through what Brayden’s family is experiencing. It is critical that a thorough review is completed to examine what happened and how the system can do better.”

The statement said a “multi-agency review” of Brayden’s case is already underway, including Island Health, BC Emergency Health Services, BC Children’s Hospital, and Child Health BC.

“It is my expectation that the family’s input be a part of this review. Action has also already been taken to strengthen BCEHS’ capacity to transport patients in need with the addition of a new night shift Critical Care Paramedic operating in the region, as of July 1st.”

Robbins told CTV late Tuesday she spoke with Osborne’s office, and they have agreed to a Zoom meeting on Wednesday afternoon.

Robbins is happy to hear about the addition of a new night paramedic shift in the Comox region. However, she is disappointed to have learned about the new shift through the media, not the health-care system.

Also, she said her family was never consulted about the review.

Robbins welcomes Wednesday’s meeting, and hopes the loss of her son can motivate meaningful changes to the system.

“We are our worst nightmare. Our lives will never be the same without our son, he was everything to us,” she said.