Glasgow boy diagnosed with E Coli after Turkey holiday

A Glasgow mum is taking legal action after her 10-year-old son was hospitalised with E.coli shortly after returning from a break at a Turkish holiday resort.

Matthew Bennett started to develop symptoms including diarrhoea on the plane home from a week-long stay at the Bone Club Sunset Hotel & Spa with his mother Julie Gilmartin, 39, at the start of July.

Matthew, from Penilee, continued to have severe abdominal pains and passing blood over the following days. Matthew’s health deteriorated and Julie called the NHS 24-hour helpline where she was told to take him to A&E.

Matthew was kept in the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow for three days.

Julie was contacted by Glasgow Council Public Health who advised he had been diagnosed with E.coli 0157, a serious bacterial infection which can cause serious long-term complications and sometimes even death.

Julie, who is a customer assistant at Sainsbury’s, has instructed Irwin Mitchell’s specialist International Personal Injury team to investigate how the illness was contracted and whether more could have been done to prevent it.

Jatinder Paul, a Senior Associate Solicitor at Irwin Mitchell who is representing the pair, said: "We are hugely concerned by the information provided to us by Julie and Matthew and have already commenced our investigations into the issues that they faced.

"E.coli is a very serious illness and we have seen on numerous occasions how it can have a particular impact on both the elderly and children. With this in mind, we are determined to ensure that this family gets the answers they deserve and Matthew can also get support to assist his recovery.

"Very serious questions have been raised by this case and we would also be keen to hear from anyone else who may have suffered similar issues after staying at this resort to assist us with our investigations."

Their family holiday took place at the Bone Club Sunset Hotel & Spa, which was booked through Jet2 Holidays, began on 6 July.

Julie said: "Matthew went to the toilet a few times on the plane journey home which seemed quite odd for him, but then as the days passed there was clearly something wrong. He didn’t eat well and then started to suffer from further issues like stomach cramps.

"I ended up calling the NHS 24-hour helpline and was told straight away to take him to hospital. It was awful to see how the illness affected him and they felt they had no choice to admit him. It was horrendous."

She added: "I was stunned to get the news that Matthew’s illness was E.coli.

"I’m just so frustrated that we went away for what should have been a nice, family break only for this to happen. It is awful and we deserve some answers as to how Matthew’s illness emerged and whether it could have been prevented.

"Although I had seen some concerning issues in relation to the cleanliness and hygiene in the restaurant such as food sometimes being served lukewarm and roaming cats, I never thought I was at serious risk of illness.

"I dread to think that other kids might be running the risk of also being affected."

A Jet2 spokesperson said: "We are sorry to hear that Ms Gilmartin’s son was taken ill following their holiday, but as lawyers have been instructed it would be inappropriate for us to make any further comment."

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