A 14-year-old autistic boy who went to hospital complaining of chest pains died a few hours later after medics sent him home.
Robert Green left Arrowe Park Hospital, on the Wirral, Merseyside, after his family said the medics told him he had a muscle injury.
Robert Green, who died hours after medics sent him home from hospital
The boy’s family, from Bidston, on the Wirral, have raised concerns over his treatment. The hospital, meanwhile, has launched a review.
Chest pains
The youngster began complaining of chest pains and feeling out of breath after going kayaking with a friend and his family on Saturday, 12 July.
His breathing difficulties came back again on 15 July. His mother, Ruth, then took him to the hospital’s accident and emergency department at around 7:45 pm.
In messages to Autism Eye, Robert’s father, Robbie, 51, wrote of how there were “no bloods done, no X-ray” and “no ECG” (electrocardiogram).
‘You would think they would investigate’
Bus driver Robbie added: “When you have a fit 14-year-old complaining of chest pain and shortness of breath, you would think they would investigate to see what’s going on because it’s not normal.”
He said a doctor asked the boy to do some stretching and told him he had probably “pulled a chest muscle”. Then he sent the boy home.
But at around 5.00 am, the boy went into his parents’ bedroom and complained about his breathing before collapsing.
Bilateral pneumothorax
Robert is thought to have died from a rare condition known as bilateral pneumothorax. This is where air gets into the space between the chest and the lungs on both sides.
Disability rights campaigner Paula McGowan lost her 18-year-old autistic son, Oliver, after medics gave him an antipsychotic against his own and his family’s wishes in 2018.
McGowan said the Green family should be “involved in the process” of the hospital’s review. The findings should be made public and “measurable changes must follow”.
Autism Eye contacted Wirral University Teaching Hospital, which runs Arrowe Park, for a comment. However, it did not respond.
Related:
- Children still ‘failed’ in hospital
- Transplant ruling may set a precedent
- Mum says treatment denied due to autism
Published: 27 August 2025
