Boy, 3, had both legs and seven fingers amputated after docs mistook deadly toxic shock syndrome for tonsillitis

A TOT had to have both legs and seven fingers removed after NHS docs failed to diagnose potentially fatal toxic shock syndrome.

Reuben Harvey-Smith was first rushed to hospital after accidentally burning himself at the family home last summer.

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But just two days later the three-year-old was back in A&E with a high fever and sore throat which was misdiagnosed as tonsillitis.

Less than a day later Reuben was fighting for his life as toxic shock syndrome took hold.

Reuben's mum Lou revealed at one point she thought he little boy wasn't going to make it through the treatment.

She told : "The consultant had tears in her eyes when she told me he would have to undergo an amputation.

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"I'm speaking out because I want to raise awareness of toxic shock and sepsis.

"More needs to be done so that the medical profession recognise the link between burns injuries and toxic shock."

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Talking of her little lads trials she said:

"He came round from the operation and the first thing he did was ask for 'mummy cuddles' and his dinner.

"He looked at his amputated legs and said 'poorly feet gone, get new ones.'

"He just accepts it and gets on with things. He never gets frustrated.

"I try not to waste energy getting angry because at the end of the day I've still got my son, but what I have got to do now is make sure it doesn't happen to anyone else."

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Toxic shock syndrome can strike when bacteria infects the blood through a wound sending the toxins racing round the body.

Reuben's mum heartbreakingly told the : "The first time he saw that his legs had been cut off from just below his knees, he just said, 'Poorly feet gone, get new ones.'"

Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust has admitted full liability for the blunder offered an unreserved apology to Reuben and his family.

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In a statement the they said: "We are now working with the family to ensure that lessons are learnt from Reuben's case and further training has been provided to A&E staff on recognising the warning signs of septic shock treatment.

"The Trust are committed to ensuring that Reuben is appropriately compensated so that he has the care, prostheses and equipment that he needs throughout his life."

The mother, who is assistant director at the Home Office, is now raising awareness of the link between burns and toxic shock.

"It is extremely rare, but it can be life-threatening and it's just getting people to think because it's something that can progress so quickly, but if caught early can lead to a full recovery," she said.

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Her lawyer, Tim Deeming, a clinical negligence specialist from Slater and Gordon, said: "Reuben has life changing injuries as the team made the wrong diagnosis in suspecting a throat infection.

"It is extremely concerning they were aware of the link between burns and toxic shock, yet didn't consider this for Reuben's case."

Ms Harvey-Smith, who has two older sons, William, 22, and Harry, 12, is now fundraising for better prosthetic legs so Reuben can get around more easily.

She said each pair cost around £6,000 and they needed to be replaced twice per year.