A WOMAN died from meningitis just days after being sent home from hospital where her symptoms were mistaken for a panic attack.
Sarah Cullen, 25, started experiencing numbness, slurred speech and confusion while she was in hospital but was sent home by a nurse.
The next day she was found collapsed on her bathroom floor and was rushed to hospital where she was diagnosed with meningitis, which had caused a stroke.
She was put on life-support and three days later, after she failed to regain consciousness, her parents made the heart-breaking decision to switch her life support machine off.
Sarah died on December 1, 2014, but her parents Kathleen and Alan Davies have today decided to speak out for the first time about her death.
An inquest concluded Sarah, from Blackpool, Lancs, died from acute bacterial meningitis which caused rapidly developing inflammation of brain and spinal tissue.
Mr and Mrs Davies have decided to speak out now because legal proceedings have stalled and officials at Blackpool Victoria Hospital have failed to meet with them.
They believe their daughter should never have left hospital when she first visited it on Oct 28, 2014.
Two days before she went to a walk-in surgery because her finger was discoloured, but on that occasion she was given medication and told to see her GP.
If her symptoms been taken more seriously on either occasion she would still be alive, the Davies family claim.
Mr Davies, 54, said: “We were at home and Sarah’s boyfriend rang and said he was concerned about her.
“He said she was slurring words, really confused and she had numbness down the right side of her. I told him to call for an ambulance.
“She went into the A&E at Blackpool Victoria and they later sent her home in the evening, saying she had had a panic attack.
“In the morning Sarah rang and said ‘I’m going to have a bath’, and that’s the last time we ever spoke to her.
“Shortly after her friend phoned and said Sarah has collapsed on the bathroom floor.
“She got put on a life support machine and never woke up. It was, and still is, horrible. Our lives will never be the same again.
“I wouldn’t wish it on anybody, having to turn your daughter’s life support off because they say all of her organs are failing.”
Sarah also suffered with a blood disorder and lupus – a condition causing inflammation to the joints, skin and other organs.
“I don’t know why this nurse took it on herself to say Sarah had just had a panic attack. I can’t understand why,” Mr Davies added.
“Me and my wife believe if she had been kept in on her first admission she would still be alive.
“We still want the hospital to get in touch with us and answer some questions.”
Her death triggered a serious “untoward incident investigation” at the hospital.
It concluded that “although there are lessons to be learnt surrounding the patient’s care, it is unlikely a change in care plan would have impact on the patient’s outcome”.
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Senior nurse Jacqueline Baseley, who saw Sarah the day she went to hospital, told the inquest into Sarah’s: “I discussed with both Sarah and her boyfriend that I felt it was more of a panic attack.
“I am sorry Sarah eventually became unconscious and went on to pass away.
“Hindsight is a wonderful thing and I have learned that should I ever seen anyone presenting themselves in a similar situation I would refer to medics or pass it over the GP working with me.”
The inquest, in August 2015, concluded Sarah’s death was by natural causes.
Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust has been contacted for comment.
For more information and support about meningitis contact charity Meningitis Now on 08088 010388.
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