The mother of a 20-month-old baby who died at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) has criticised doctors for being too slow to diagnose her child.

Jasmine Hughes died at the hospital in February 2011 having suffered from brain swelling and seizures.

A coroner ruled she had suffered from Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis (ADEM), a rare post-viral disease.

Her mother Joanne Hughes hit out at a lack of communication at the world-renowned children’s hospital, which she believes hampered her daughter’s chances of surviving.

Speaking after the inquest at St Pancras Coroners Court last Thursday (April 19), Mrs Hughes told the Ham&High: “We will never know if early intervention with steroids, which are recognised as the standard intervention for ADEM, would have led to a better outcome for Jasmine.

“But we have recognised today that my concerns about my daughter’s treatment were not communicated effectively to Great Ormond Street Hospital.

“I felt all along that my concerns about my daughter’s treatment had not been communicated effectively, and that reduced the amount of time my daughter had for appropriate treatments to be tried.”

Mrs Hughes has set up Mother’s Instinct, a charity to support families in similar situations, and hopes to work with the hospital in Great Ormond Street, Bloomsbury, to improve patient advocacy.

Coroner Dr Shirley Radcliffe said there was no clear evidence earlier assessment of Jasmine’s condition would have altered the medical outcome.

But delivering a narrative verdict, Dr Radcliffe said: “Perhaps earlier assessment at Great Ormond Street Hospital would have given Jasmine’s family the feeling that there was a clear plan.”

A hospital spokeswoman said: “We offer our sincerest condolences to Mr and Mrs Hughes on the death of Jasmine.

“We are deeply sorry for their loss. We have met with the family to discuss their concerns and would be happy to do so again, should they wish.”