GP and ambulance service fail to detect meningitis in baby
We helped a couple to claim compensation after medical staff failed to spot that their son was suffering from meningitis.
Liam was nine months old when his grandmother noticed that he was shuddering and looked extremely unwell. She took Liam to his GP where he was diagnosed with an ear infection and prescribed with antibiotics.
However later that afternoon, when his mother, Rachael, returned from work she saw that Liam was developing a rash on his body. When she applied the ‘tumbler test’ to the rash, it did not disappear. Rachael was immediately concerned Liam might have meningitis and so took Liam back to see the GP. The GP failed to carry out a proper examination of Liam but instead reassured Rachael that Liam was not suffering with meningitis and that he was merely suffering with a viral infection. The GP advised Rachael to continue with the medication and not to worry unless Liam began to vomit.
Rachael took Liam home but he slowly deteriorated through the evening. His rash got worse and he began to vomit. Rachael rang the NHS Direct Helpline and they sent out an emergency ambulance.
Upon hearing that Liam had been to the GP earlier in the day, the ambulance crew was reassured by the doctor’s diagnosis and suggested that Liam’s rash may be a bad case of nappy rash. Rachael was made to feel that she was over-reacting and she reluctantly put Liam to bed.
However when Rachael checked on Liam again his rash had developed into large purple patches all over his body. She contacted NHS Direct who sent out a second emergency ambulance.
These paramedics were immediately very concerned and took Liam straight to hospital, administering intravenous antibiotics en route. At the hospital, Liam was diagnosed as having meningococcal septicaemia, blood poisoning caused by meningococcal disease, and was given aggressive antibiotic therapy. Sadly, Liam did not survive the night.
Rachael and her partner, Dean, felt compelled to pursue a claim against the local NHS Trust after all of the relevant complaints procedures were followed and no responsibility was accepted by the GP or the Ambulance Service. With the assistance of clinical negligence solicitor Guy Forster they were awarded a 5 figure sum in compensation but, more importantly to Rachael and Dean, the GP and Ambulance Service accepted full liability for Liam’s death.