A FORMER Bolton couple are today deciding whether or not to take legal action against the hospital that discharged their baby son shortly before he died.

Sean and Samantha Lowe were left devastated when 17-month-old Dominic died after being re-admitted to Staffordshire General Hospital.

An inquest heard that he had become ill at the family home in Cannock and was rushed to accident and emergency.

Just 24 hours earlier, he had been examined by doctors and discharged after being diagnosed with the throat condition croup. He died of tracheitis -- inflammation of the windpipe -- and acute pneumonia.

Bolton-based solicitors Fieldings Porter said the couple were still considering whether to sue the hospital.

Mrs Lowe, formerly of Little Lever, told the Bolton Evening News: "This inquest was a difficult and painful milestone that brought back the trauma and tragedy of the death of our little boy. We still feel the pain and the terrible sense of deep loss. The hospital staff have been extremely understanding and sympathetic to us since Dominic's death, but we feel that if they had acted similarly when he was first admitted into their care he would still be alive today."

Mrs Lowe told the hearing at Cannock Coroner's Court that Dominic was taken to the hospital with breathing difficulties on October 4 last year.

He was discharged the next morning but his condition deteriorated, and at 11.15pm the family rushed back to hospital in their car.

On the way there they were stopped by police officers, who took father Mr Lowe and Dominic to the hospital in their patrol car.

Mrs Lowe told the hearing: "We had been told to be calm because it was only croup and we feel that we left it too late."

Paediatric consultant Colin Melville said Dominic had responded to the treatment and there had been nothing to raise fears about tracheitis.

Staffordshire South coroner Andrew Haigh took the unusual step of recording a descriptive verdict, which involves writing a statement outlining details of the death.

A statement from the hospital said the inquest confirmed Dominic died of tracheitis.

It added: "At the time of his discharge, there was no evidence of tracheitis, nor any clinical suggestion that this may subsequently develop.

"The Trust wishes to offer sincere condolences to Dominic's family following their tragic loss and offer any further support that we may be able to give them."