A tragic incident unfolded as a 15-year-old girl lost her life to meningitis after the ambulance service allegedly failed to transport her to the hospital, revealed a recent inquest. Zara Cheesman, residing in Mapperley Park, Nottingham, should have been urgently taken to the hospital by East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) personnel before her demise on December 23 of the previous year, as outlined by Nottingham Coroner’s Court. Initially presenting symptoms of vomiting and neck and shoulder pain at the A&E on December 20, she was discharged with a suspected case of norovirus.
Following this, the next day, two ambulance technicians, who lacked official clinical registration unlike paramedics, visited Zara’s residence where she exhibited concerning signs of meningitis such as confusion and a severe headache. It was revealed during the inquest that the technicians were supposed to seek guidance from a senior clinical lead if they opted against hospitalizing someone under 18, but this standard procedure was not adhered to in Zara’s case. Testimonies suggested that prompt hospitalization could have potentially saved Zara’s life.
Susan Jevons, the head of patient safety at EMAS, extended heartfelt apologies to Zara’s family and pledged to implement preventive measures to avoid similar tragedies in the future. She stressed the importance of staff members familiarizing themselves with operational protocols, which are disseminated as bulletins that clinicians are required to acknowledge. Ms. Jevons highlighted discrepancies in the technicians’ awareness of the policy regarding under-18 cases, emphasizing the necessity for thorough policy comprehension.
During her testimony, Ms. Jevons underscored the obligation of clinicians to uphold organizational guidelines and prioritize patient safety through policy adherence. Notably, she pointed out the overlooked policy that warranted rehospitalization of individuals like Zara who had recent medical presentations. The inquest raised concerns about the technicians’ decision-making processes and the need for consistent understanding of protocols, especially concerning pediatric cases.
Confirming that no similar incidents have occurred post-Zara’s tragic demise, Ms. Jevons assured that all children requiring hospital care were promptly attended to by ambulance teams. Expressing regret to Zara’s family, she acknowledged the organization’s failure, promising substantial reforms to enhance patient care and prevent reoccurrence of such incidents.
The inquest’s evidentiary phase concluded on Friday, with the coroner scheduled to deliver the final verdict on Wednesday afternoon.