'She was our world': Wetherby parents launch legal action after toddler dies from meningitis

Sarah and Mark Normington took their daughter, Leila, to Harrogate District Hospital in July 2023 after she had suffered a fever for four days. She had recently been discharged following treatment for meningitis.

They are pursuing a claim after a Trust patient safety investigation report identified potential “missed opportunities” in her care.

Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust said it offered its deepest sympathies to Leila’s family, but denied liability for her death.

Despite Leila’s recent illness and history of infections, staff diagnosed an upper respiratory tract infection and discharged her. The following morning, the couple, aged 42 and 48, returned to hospital and Leila was admitted to the paediatric ward at about 1.30pm.

Her parents raised concerns about her high temperature, balance and drowsiness, and said she had suffered seizures at home. However, the Trust’s investigation report stated that staff did not believe she had experienced seizures at that stage.

According to the report, doctors continued to treat Leila for a respiratory infection and advised her mother to take her to the playroom to assess her alertness.

Later that day, Leila suffered two seizures in a treatment room. The investigation found there was no working clock in the room and that her father was asked to time the seizures on a mobile phone. Investigators concluded this was “not appropriate”.

As her condition deteriorated, doctors suspected meningitis and sepsis. She was transferred in the early hours to a paediatric intensive care unit at another hospital. A CT scan later showed she had suffered a catastrophic brain injury and would not survive.

Her parents moved her to Martin House Hospice, where she died hours later on July 25, 2023. A post-mortem examination concluded she died from meningitis.

The Trust’s patient safety investigation found that, given Leila’s medical history, there may have been a “missed opportunity” to admit her on July 22. However, the Trust denied liability and said it could not confirm whether her death could have been avoided.

The report also identified issues including the suitability of the treatment room where Leila suffered seizures. A working clock and improved lighting have since been installed.

It found the early warning scoring system in use at the time did not formally record parental concerns; a section has since been added. Investigators also noted a lack of support for extended family members present during resuscitation.

Mrs Normington said: “We felt Leila hadn’t recovered from meningitis, but we weren’t listened to. Losing Leila in the way we did will stay with us forever. She was our only daughter and our world.

“If any good can come of this situation we just hope everyone realises the dangers of meningitis and how important it is to receive a quick diagnosis and treatment.

“Parents know their children and their behaviour so need to be listened to and if they feel they need it, parents should push for a second opinion.”

Isabella Whiteley-Tye, a medical negligence lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, said the family wanted a full investigation to ensure lessons are learned.

A spokesperson from Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We would like to offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Leila Normington.

“Following Leila’s death, we commenced an investigation with an independent external expert. We met with Leila’s parents throughout the investigation and shared our final report with them.

“We also shared our findings with HM Coroner who determined that Leila’s death was from natural causes.”