A MUM has described how her daughter was discharged from hospital with dehydration despite having blood “oozing from her eyes” – before tragically passing away hours later.
Sophie Ward, 20, had unknowingly contracted meningitis – which doctors had informed her she did not have.
Sophie Ward tragically passed away in July 2023[/caption]
Sophie began experiencing a high temperature the day before her death[/caption]
Sophie with her dad Paul[/caption]
At an inquest into her death this week, Sophie’s heartbroken mum Alice said she developed a temperature of 38.6C and began shivering the day before she died.
A concerned Alice called 111 just after 2pm, and was advised to rush her daughter to Barnet Hospital.
The pair arrived to “quite a chaotic” A&E at around 3.30pm and quickly alerted staff about a suspected meningitis infection.
However, Sophie wasn’t seen for a further two hours – one hour and 45 minutes longer than the recommended wait time under the circumstances, the jury was told.
The unwell 20-year-old was then sent for urine and blood tests – before being eventually seen by a doctor at 7.15pm, nearly five hours after the initial 111 call.
The doctor said the tests were clear and, following a clear CT scan, concluded that Sophie had a 90 per cent likelihood of being free from infection.
No lumbar puncture (spinal tap) was carried out, however – the main test used to diagnose meningitis – according to teacher Alice.
Instead, doctors suggested she was experiencing dehydration and told her to go home as it was “safer not to keep her in hospital as she could pick up other infections.”
The mum and daughter eventually left Barnet Hospital at 10pm.
But, just four hours later, Sophie was “violently sick all over the carpet,” and had three bouts of diarrhoea.
Her temperature had soared to 39.4C, with Alice trying desperately to cool her down with towels and a fan.
At 7am, she returned to find her daughter “covered in a textbook purple rash” on her neck and back with “white and puffy” lips.
Sophie had texted her friend saying “she had never felt so ill in her life”.
As the ambulance arrived, Alice recalled that blood was seeping from her daughter’s eyes.
Over the following hours, Sophie had severe organ failure and her heart was restarted three times.
A doctor told Alice and and Sophie’s dad Paul that “they could not keep her heart going,” and “would stop trying” – and she tragically died at 4.30pm.
The inquest into Sophie’s death, which occurred on July 31 2023, began on Monday (February 17).
The nurse who triaged Sophie on July 30 was called to give evidence, and stood by their decision to wait two hours, rather than 15 minutes.
In a response described as “clear as mud” by the coroner, they said they could not remember whether a doctor had been called to check on Sophie during this time, despite a second opinion being common practice.
Doctors told Sophie she did not have meningitis[/caption]
She was discharged from hospital with suspected dehydration[/caption]
Paul on a cycle ride around the Isle of Wight in memory of Sophie[/caption]
In a tribute to her daughter, Alice told the court: “Sophie was a young woman, almost 21-years-old. Sophie was a daughter, a sister, a niece and a cousin to members of her family.
“She was dearly loved and gave and received so much joy to her family who knew her so well. As a young child Sophie was quiet and shy in family gatherings.
“She was happy, so happy, in childhood, at her grandparents’ house and in the garden of her own house.
“Sophie was the middle sibling and enjoyed playing with her brother and sister at all stages of her childhood, she grew confidence and became more outgoing among her family.
“She was admired by all for her tenderness, her sincerity, her kindness, and her beauty.”
She continued: “As a young woman at age of 16 she became adventurous and outgoing, with a wide circle of friends whose company she cherished.
“After AS levels she completed an art foundation course at Ravensbourne College. Tutors noted courage, diligence, and a highly personalised content of art.
Everything you need to know about meningitis
Meningitis, is an uncommon but serious illness that can cause life-threatening complications and even death.
It is triggered by the meningococcal bacteria.
It can affect anyone, but is most common in babies, young children, teenagers and young adults.
Meningitis can attack the lining of the brain and spinal cord and, in some cases, cause a serious blood infection (sepsis).
Early symptoms of meningitis can sometimes be similar to those of the flu, but they can progress quickly and can be fatal.
Symptoms of meningitis develop suddenly and can include:
- A high temperature (fever) over 37.5C (99.5F)
- Being sick
- A headache
- A blotchy rash that doesn’t fade when a glass is rolled over it (this won’t always develop)
- A stiff neck
- A dislike of bright lights
- Drowsiness or unresponsiveness
- Seizures (fits)
These symptoms can appear in any order and some may not appear.
When to get medical help
You should get medical advice as soon as possible if you’re concerned that you or your child could have meningitis.
Trust your instincts, and don’t wait until a rash develops.
Phone 999 for an ambulance or go to your nearest accident and emergency (A&E) department immediately if you think you or your child might be seriously ill.
Phone 111 or your GP practice for advice if you’re not sure if it’s anything serious or you think you may have been exposed to someone with meningitis.
How meningitis is spread
Meningitis is usually caused by a bacterial or viral infection. Bacterial meningitis is rarer but more serious than viral meningitis.
Infections that cause meningitis can be spread through:
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Kissing
- Sharing utensils, cutlery and toothbrushes
Meningitis is usually caught from people who carry these viruses or bacteria in their nose or throat but aren’t ill themselves.
It can also be caught from someone with meningitis, but this is less common.
Vaccinations
Vaccinations offer some protection against certain causes of meningitis.
These include the:
- Meningitis B vaccine – offered to babies aged 8 weeks, followed by a second dose at 16 weeks, and a booster at 1 year
- 6-in-1 vaccine – offered to babies at 8, 12 and 16 weeks of age
- Pneumococcal vaccine – offered to babies at 12 weeks and between 12 and 13 months old
- Meningitis C vaccine – offered at 12 weeks of age, 1 year
- MMR vaccine – offered to babies at 1 year and a second dose at 3 years and 4 months
- Meningitis ACWY vaccine – offered to teenagers who are in S3 (around 14 years of age) at school. Young people who are in S4-S6 and missed the opportunity to get immunised last year, may also get the vaccine at school this year
“[She] worked for a year as an au pair in Paris, responsible for three young children, and took responsibilities in her stride.
“She came home from Paris and when she spoke French, sounded like a native. She looked like a Parisian, glamorous and chic. Twenty was the happiest year of Sophie’s life.
“Her ideas, imagination, skill, drive and encouragement of other students was admired by tutors and other students.
“She had an esteem and admiration from all who knew her at Wimbledon College Of Arts. She’s greatly missed by students and staff at the course, especially by her housemates.
“Her death was preventable and tragic, pain and sorrow that cannot be softened. She was loved and no good comes from her death, but change must come about in hospital diagnoses and protocols.
“Her family pray she’s in the presence of God. May our lives honour the wonderful Sophie.”
A JustGiving fundraiser, set up by Sophie’s dad Paul in October 2023 for Meningitis Now, has so far raised more than £20,000.
After cycling round the Isle of Wight to raise funds in 2023, Paul undertook a second challenge last year – of cycling from London to Brighton – in what he described as “our last tribute to Sophie”.
He wrote: “May the Lord bless her and keep her. We remembered the Wonderful Sophie. Artist, daughter, sister friend. Fearless and gentle. Creative without end.”
The Sun has contacted the Royal Free NHS Trust, which runs Barnet Hospital, for comment.
Paul on a cycle ride to Brighton for his ‘last tribute’ to Sophie[/caption]
The fundraiser has so far raised £20,000[/caption]
Sophie was a student at the Wimbledon College Of Arts[/caption]
