Family seeks answers as inquest begins into death of boy, 5, in Sheffield hospital after tonsilitis diagnosis

HM Assistant Coroner for South Yorkshire (West), Rebecca Connell, is expected to hear evidence this morning to explain the death of Yusuf Mahmud Nazir, in November 2022.

Yusuf died on November 23, 2022 at Sheffield Children’s Hospital having first become unwell over the weekend of November 12-13.

His family’s legal team say he was initially seen by his GP on November 15, 2022, before, on the advice of NHS 111, Yusuf was taken to Rotherham Hospital by his mother, Soniya Ahmed.

Yusuf was seen again by his GP on November 18, 2022 before Mrs Ahmed called 999 and paramedics from Yorkshire Ambulance Service attended their home. Yusuf was taken to Sheffield Children’s Hospital and admitted to the Emergency Department before he was transferred to Ward 4 that evening.

Yusuf was later transferred to the Paediatric Critical Care Unit (PCCU) on Monday, November, 21, 2022, and died on November 23, 2022.

Yusuf was originally diagnosed with tonsillitis. He later developed sepsis and pneumonia leading to his death.

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Prior to Yusuf’s inquest, there were two independent investigations into Yusuf’s death including NURTURE Health & Care’s investigation published on July 31, 2025. Criticisms included not listening to the parental voice and the care and treatment Yusuf received on Ward 4 of Sheffield Children’s Hospital.

Yusuf’s inquest will examine the care he received in the days before his death including treatment by his GP, at Rotherham Hospital, the response of Yorkshire Ambulance Service, and his care at Sheffield Children’s Hospital.

The coroner will also consider Yusuf’s medical cause of death.

His family hope Yusuf’s inquest will answer their questions about what happened to him and that lessons are learnt and acted upon by the NHS Trusts.