ETHAN'S family have described what happened on Christmas Day two years ago. The following statements have not been disputed by the health trust.

nChristmas Morning: Ethan was off colour so mum Michaela put him back to bed. When she checked on him, he had a seizure and she rushed him to hospital.

nNOON: At Blackburn Royal Infirmary, a casualty doctor examined him and wrote in his notes: "Not focusing eyes, hot. Mild neck stiffness? Mild photophobia? Held rigid?" Ethan was given Calpol and sent to Queen's Park Hospital children's unit.

nMichaela was told by a nurse that he had a sore throat, was crying for attention and she may want to take him home. Michaela told the nurse she thought Ethan had meningitis. At this time, Ethan was screaming, hiding his face from the light and didn't want to be held.

nMore than an hour after their arrival, Ethan was examined by a senior house officer and Michaela showed her three new spots on his chest. Michaela asked the doctor to do the glass test and the doctor refused, dismissing meningitis.

nEthan was admitted for observation. Jacqui Helleur, his grandmother, stayed with him and gave him on average four bottles of juice an hour, provided by nurses, which he appeared to drink in his sleep.

nMrs Helleur said the nurses offered no food, drink or treatment. They only came to the ward when asked. Most of the time they were in a room where a buffet had been laid out. They appeared to be chatting.

nEarly Evening: Ethan vomited a red fluid. A nurse helped clear this up on request and suggested the red was caused by juice and Ethan may have put his own fingers down his throat.

nMrs Helleur noticed Ethan was hot but his hands and feet were cold. She pointed this out to the nurses who said he was wearing too many clothes. His clothes were taken off, apart from his nappy.

nEthan was sick again. Mrs Helleur cleared this up with the help of another mother because she was given the impression she was "bothering" the nurses. She had been told she was over-anxious.

n9pm: A nurse took Ethan's temperature after being requested to do so and gave him more Calpol.

nShortly before midnight: Mrs Helleur noticed more severe spots, bruises and "strawberry" type marks developing. She took him to reception, doctors were called and he was rushed to theatre for a blood transfusion.