THE PARENTS of an 11-year-old girl who died after doctors took seven hours to help her say their lives will never be the same.
Annalise Luffingham was taken to Croydon University Hospital after suffering symptoms including a headache and eye pain in February 2020.
SWNSAnnie died in February 2020[/caption]
SWNSAn inquest heard she could have been saved if her blood pressure had been taken earlier[/caption]
She was at the hospital for nearly seven hours before being provided by antibiotics after medics failed to spot her deteriorating health.
But Annalise, known as Annie, suffered a cardiac arrest an hour later and died the following day. Her cause of death was sepsis caused by meningitis.
A subsequent inquest heard she could have been saved if blood pressure checks had been carried out earlier.
Her mum Tracey Shephard, 49, and David Luffingham, 54, say they their daughter was “badly let down” after “systemic failures” contributed to her death.
Paying tribute to Annie, her mum said: “Annie was the most wonderful, beautiful and inquisitive daughter we could have ever wished for.
“She loved horse riding and playing football and was academically gifted. She had been studying for her 11-plus and always wanted to be the best person she could be.
“That she will not grow up to fulfil her potential or celebrate life’s milestones such as passing her exams or starting her first job is something that I don’t think our family will ever get over.”
She added: “There are very good protocols that hospitals should be following.
“If they don’t follow those protocols, then this could easily happen to somebody else.”
Annie was taken to the hospital on the morning of February 11, 2020, presenting with dizziness, vomiting, confusion and a high temperature.
But nursing staff failed to acknowledge her deteriorating health and did not check her vital signs,m including her blood pressure.
They also failed to carry out a sepsis evaluation.
If medics had, she would have received intravenous antibiotics within an hour.
However, the delay meant Annie suffered a cardiac arrest and had to be transferred to another hospital.
She suffered a further two cardiac arrests while being transported and was pronounced dead on February 12 following a fourth.
Sonia Hayes, Assistant Coroner for Kent, found Annie died of natural causes contributed to by neglect.
The inquest also concluded there were 11 problems with her care.
Annie’s parents reached an undisclosed settlement with Croydon Health Services NHS Trust.
The trust admitted liability for Annie’s death.
Chief nurse Elaine Clancy said: “Our deepest condolences are with Annalise’s family as they continue to come to terms with their loss.
“Following an internal review, we have implemented an improved paediatric early warning system on our digital records to identify even more quickly when a patient’s condition deteriorates, and we are also providing additional clinical training for staff on the management of sepsis and meningitis.”
SWNSAn inquest concluded there were 11 issues with Annie’s care[/caption]