Warminster couple Yolanda and Steve Turner whose four-year-old son, Sean, died from a brain haemorrhage at Bristol Children's Hospital after undergoing heart surgery there, say the inquest verdict is a partial victory.

Mrs Turner, speaking after the hearing in which coroner Maria Voisin said evidence given had raised concerns, said: "I think to get this verdict is a bit of a victory, as at least they recognised there were lost opportunities and it's import to us that the coroner recognised that.

"The hospital can't wriggle out of it and some of the things we have said all along have now been justified by the expert witnesses.

"We do feel that there was more that could have been said, though.

"Although they recognised that there were missed opportunities, the coroner said she is happy the hospital has made changes, but we will have to wait and see how far those changes go."

Mr and Mrs Turner, of Cuckoos Nest Lane, claim their son’s death was not isolated and other children with heart problems have died at the hospital, including Luke Jenkins, aged seven, from Cardiff. 

Mrs Turner said: "After the Luke Jenkins' verdict, we were expecting a whitewash, but we got something and she recognised the hospital's care for Sean did fall short. After hearing all the evidence she had to say something.

"It is unbelievable that he wasn't being monitored properly by a haematologist or a surgeon. It's been a relief it hear what we have been saying all along, that he was deteriorating.

"It's too late for Mr Woolley to apologise. It should have come two years ago and it's more likely he has been forced into it by the coroner saying they did miss opportunities.

"If they had investigated properly after Sean's death they would have found these failings and for the hospital I would imagine this verdict is bad for them. They would have hoped for no gross negligence.

"We were begging them to keep Sean on IPCU, but they wouldn't listen to us. When he was moved back to Ward 32 we told them he was deteriorating, but a consultant came to Sean's bed and just said he was looking better. It wasn't good enough.

"Sean was a lovely, happy, mischievous boy. He loved life and wasn't going to let his heart condition stop him. He loved playing on his scooter and going it the skate park.

"He also loved Spider-Man and enjoyed climbing and jumping around. He also liked to dismantle things and then put them back together with Steve's tools."