HOSPITAL bosses have promised to answer questions about the treatment of a toddler who died of meningitis.

Chief executive John Thomas said he felt Ethan Smith's family deserved to have their questions answered about the reasons the 13-month-old wasn't examined and diagnosed earlier.

The Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley NHS Trust, which treated Ethan at Queen's Park Hospital and Blackburn Royal Infirmary, admitted failing to care for him properly in an out of court settlement with mum Michaela, of Blackburn.

And the family revealed a catalogue of errors on the fateful Christmas Day two years ago, as staff failed to pick up on classic meningitis symptoms including dislike of light, fever, spots and a stiff neck until it was too late to save him. Ethan died three days later.

Today, Mr Thomas said he intended to write to the family, promising to answer four questions raised in the Lancashire Evening Telegraph.

We asked why the children's unit failed to act on symptoms noted by the doctor who first saw Ethan, why another doctor refused to test for meningitis when asked by the family, why nursing staff dismissed his worsening symptoms and why no staff were disciplined after the tragic incident.

Mr Thomas again apologised for Ethan's treatment and said: "They do deserve to have these questions answered and I will discuss these questions with senior medical and nursing staff."

Mr Thomas said he wanted to reassure East Lancashire people that, despite this week's revelations, they can have faith in Queen's Park Hospital children's unit.

He said: "Our paediatric services are highly regarded and are seen by many as a centre of excellence. The sad death of Ethan Smith is all the more tragic because of that.

"I would like to reassure the public that our medical and nursing staff are committed to providing the best possible care. Lessons from this tragedy will be learnt."