In response to Oliver’s story, the National Health Service (NHS) developed new guidance to pay tribute to Oliver McGowan. He was only 18 years old when he tragically passed away in 2016 after being prescribed an anti-psychotic drug. This joint initiative will improve the safety and efficacy of treatment for people with learning disabilities and autism.
Born in 2000, Oliver McGowan had a challenging medical history that included epilepsy, learning disabilities and autism. While in the hospital setting to treat his seizures, they gave him olanzapine, an anti-psychotic medication used to sedate him. After taking the treatment, his body temperature shot up to 107 degrees. He then began to demonstrate symptoms of neuroleptic malignant syndrome, a rare but highly fatal reaction to antipsychotic medications.
The initiation of olanzapine was stopped on 28 October 2016. A repeat CT scan just two days later showed Oliver had experienced a devastating brain injury. He passed away in intensive care 17 days after being given the drug. An independent investigation found that his death was “potentially preventable.” It raised scourges of medical ignorance about established treatment protocols for people with these kind of vulnerabilities.
After the tragic death of their son, Oliver, Mr. and Mrs. McGowan turned into advocacy firecrackers. Instead, they passionately advocate for reforming our healthcare system. Incredibly, our partners at Learning Disability Voices were able to jump into action. Alongside other important provisions, this code is meant to ensure that people with learning disabilities and autism are given safer, more tailored care.
Tom and Paula McGowan expressed their hopes for the new guidance:
“This is a true example of what meaningful change looks like – giving a voice to those who are not always seen or heard.” – Tom and Paula McGowan
The NHS is committed to doing better for future patients like Oliver. To start, they will introduce new care pathways that place greater emphasis on knowing learning disabled patients’ individual needs. Jackie O’Sullivan, a prominent advocate for healthcare reform, remarked on the importance of this initiative:
“We must transform care for people with a learning disability.” – Jackie O’Sullivan
These guidelines are a significant step forward in preventing the exploitation of vulnerable patients. Their goal is to avoid a tragedy like that experienced by Oliver McGowan. The NHS’s commitment to enhancing care standards underscores the critical need for ongoing education and awareness among healthcare professionals regarding the complexities involved in treating individuals with autism and learning disabilities.
