WHEN teacher Jemma Stevens took her three-year-old daughter to a “manic” A&E to get her chesty cough, vomiting and rash checked out, she was told the symptoms were ” probably just a virus”.
But following a “missed opportunity” to refer her for urgent assessment – despite her displaying tell-tale signs – the youngster died from Group A Strep sepsis.
SWNSPenny Stevens was taken to hospital after experiencing a chesty cough, vomiting and a rash[/caption]Having grown worried about Penny’s symptoms, 41-year-old mum Jemma had been advised by NHS 111 to take her daughter to hospital.
But when they arrived at St Richard’s Hospital in Chichester, West Sussex, they found the “clearly overwhelmed” A&E department was struggling to cope and were told Penny might not be seen for several hours.
Penny, who also had a high temperature as well as a raised heart and respiratory rate, should have been triaged within 15 minutes of attending hospital.
But bungling medics incorrectly recorded ‘no’ as to whether Penny was sleepy, lethargic or irritable, despite having to be held by her mum.
Jemma said she took her daughter home concerned by the long wait, but Penny’s condition deteriorated overnight.
She called 999 in the early hours of the next day and Penny was taken by ambulance to hospital, but suffered a cardiac arrest shortly after arrival.
Despite attempts to resuscitate Penny lasting 80 minutes, she died of Group A Strep sepsis.
A report has now found a sepsis screening tool completed during an initial assessment “recorded signs that should have triggered an urgent sepsis review“.
Jemma, of Emsworth, Hampshire, said: “Penny was bright, funny, and full of joy.
“We remain devastated by Penny’s death and are left wondering if more could have been done that night to help her.
“It’s hard not to think of how things should be, in a world where Penny would still be at home with us, growing up, and creating mischief with her brother.
“I don’t blame the staff on duty that night. They were working in impossible circumstances.
“My concerns lie with the system and the conditions that both patients and medical staff have to face.
“I’d do anything to have Penny back with us and want every parent to know the signs of sepsis.
“People have probably heard of sepsis, but they need to know how dangerous it is. Don’t assume someone else will spot it.”
The Patient Safety Investigation Report by University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust said the opportunity for escalating for an urgent sepsis assessment “was missed”.
Jemma has now instructed medical negligence lawyers to launch legal action against the trust following the tragedy in December 2022.
What are the symptoms of sepsis?
SEPSIS is a life-threatening reaction to an infection that happens when your immune system overreacts and starts to damage your body's own tissues and organs.
Symptoms of sepsis in an adult include:
Acting confused, slurred speech or not making sense Blue, grey, pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue – on brown or black skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet A rash that does not fade when you roll a glass over it, the same as meningitis Difficulty breathing, breathlessness or breathing very fastSymptoms in a child include:
Blue, grey, pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue – on brown or black skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet A rash that does not fade when you roll a glass over it, the same as meningitis Difficulty breathing (you may notice grunting noises or their stomach sucking under their ribcage), breathlessness or breathing very fast A weak, high-pitched cry that’s not like their normal cry Not responding like they normally do, or not interested in feeding or normal activities Being sleepier than normal or having difficulty wakingThey may not have all these symptoms.
If you think you or someone else has symptoms of sepsis, call 999 or go to A&E.
Source: NHS
Penny and Jemma arrived at the hospital just before 5.20pm on December 3, 2022.
Penny, who has a younger brother named Charlie, now aged five, was triaged at 6.20pm.
Despite her signs and symptoms, Penny’s condition was classed as ‘green’ and not requiring a follow-up assessment for a further two hours.
During that time, Jemma was asked to try and provide a sample of Penny’s urine but she was crying and unable to pass any.
After waiting for more than two hours, Penny had not been re-assessed, and that’s when Jemma took her daughter home where she believed she would be more comfortable.
She said she was reassured by the medics’ lack of urgency after being told it would be several hours before Penny would be seen.
A discharge summary was generated, saying treatment had been completed, the investigation report said.
SWNSPenny, with her younger brother Charlie, now aged five[/caption] SWNSPenny’s death highlights the needs for everyone to be aware of sepsis symptoms[/caption]At approximately 4am on December 4, the call was made to 999. Penny died later that morning.
Laura Hayes-Payne, the medical negligence lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing Penny’s mum, said: “Jemma remains devastated by the incredibly tragic circumstances surrounding Penny’s death.
“The Hospital Trust’s own investigation report has identified worrying issues in the care Penny received, including not recognising signs of sepsis or referring her for an urgent review.
“Jemma continues to have concerns about what happened to daughter.
“All she wants is to ensure that all possible issues in Penny’s care are identified and acknowledged by the Trust, and that lessons are learnt so that other families don’t have to endure what she and her family have.
“Through our work we continue to see too many families impacted by sepsis.
“Penny’s death highlights its dangers, the need for everyone to be aware of the symptoms and how early detection and treatment are essential.”
The University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust has been approached for comment.
For more information visit www.sepsistrust.org.
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