Family members of a FOUR-year-old girl died two days after waiting more than six hours to be seen at A&E.
The West Yorkshire woman Makenna-Rose Thackray passed away on December 20, 2022, after her family had wasted time trying to get her medical help.
The girl was “happy and jolly,” and her smile “lit up the room,” her mother told the inquest today.
The terrible thing happened after her family took her to Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield’s emergency room.
Early that month, Makenna-Rose was diagnosed with scarlet fever, but antibiotics didn’t help.
The BBC reported that Paul Thackray, the girl’s father, told the Wakefield Coroner’s Court inquest that there had been “missed opportunities” to save her life.
Danielle Ledger, Makenna-Rose’s mother, said that the couple “couldn’t grieve” for her “until we have answers.”
She wrote in her statement, “At about 11:30 p.m., we had been in the hospital for more than four hours, and Makenna-Rose was still so hot and tired.”
“When I asked the nurse how much longer I had to wait, she just said she was sorry and that other patients needed to be seen before her.”
“We waited a further two hours before giving up and going home around 1.30am, having waited over six hours.”
At the inquest, it was said that Makenna-Rose was diagnosed with purpura on December 9.
He said in his statement, “I am devastated by the loss of my daughter.”
“There were missed opportunities to save my daughter and I would like those responsible to admit their failures and learn from these, so no family must go through what we have been through.”
Group A Strep bacteria cause scarlet fever, which is a bacterial infection.
The bacteria can sometimes get into the bloodstream and cause iGAS, an invasive disease that is fatal.
Anyone can get it, but kids younger than 10 are most likely to get it.
Follow these steps if you or your child have scarlet fever
If parents notice signs of the bacterial bug in their children, they should make an appointment for them to see their local doctor.
People who are diagnosed will be given a course of liquid antibiotics that they need to take for ten days.
People with scarlet fever usually get better in two weeks, but there are times when it gets worse.
The infection could spread to other parts of the body and lead to ear infections, sinusitis, or pneumonia.
If you have headaches, vomiting, or diarrhea after the initial scarlet fever symptoms have gone away, you should see your doctor as soon as possible.