'Promising' schoolgirl, 16, dies after GP said headaches were caused by a cold
A “promising” 16-year-old schoolgirl has tragically died after a GP said her headaches were caused by a cold.
Isabel Kate Connolly-Wellock had complained of having a headache during a GP appointment at Waterfoot Medical Practice, on March 28 this year. Her GP noted she had a raised heart rate of 139 bpm but other observations were normal, and it was suspected that she had a cold.
Just three days later Isabel collapsed in A&E and died hours later. The day after her GP appointment, the teenager from Rawtenstall, Lancashire, said her headache had eased but her neck was painful and her eye was drooping. Isabel went to another GP appointment at 9.40am on March 30, where, once again, doctors said her symptoms were normal.
But within five hours her condition had seriously worsened and her mum Geraldine was told to rush her to A&E. Five minutes after her arrival at the Royal Blackburn Hospital Isabel collapsed in the waiting area. Doctors there recognised her condition was rapidly worsening and admitted her to the Critical Care Unit.
Isabel was started on antibiotics, including those used to treat central nervous system infections such as meningitis, but by 9pm her organs were starting to fail. She was intubated but her condition continued to get worse and despite the best efforts of specialist doctors Isabel was pronounced dead at 20 minutes past midnight on March 31.
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An inquest held today, November 8, at Accrington Town Hall heard that Isabel's family had concerns about the outcome of the two GP appointments she attended in the days before her death. However, Area Coroner Kate Bisset agreed that Isabel had not been displaying signs that she was suffering from sepsis.
If not treated quickly, cases of meningitis can lead to life-threatening sepsis - or blood poisoning. Just a few weeks before her death, parents of Haslingden High School had been sent a letter informing them a pupil had been diagnosed with meningitis. But this was confirmed as a different type to that which Isabel contracted.
Dr Richard Benson, a critical care consultant, described Isabel's case as "very unusual" in that her deterioration had been so rapid. "I don't think I have ever seen anyone deteriorate so quickly," he added. Geraldine had been told to take her daughter to A&E herself, instead of waiting for an ambulance. But Dr Benson added: "Even if antibiotics had been started at 4.05pm just after Isabel arrived, instead of 4.40pm as they were, it wouldn't have made a difference."
Isabel hadn’t displayed some of the better-known symptoms of meningitis, such as a rash, or sensitivity to light. Similarly, after being admitted to A&E, a CT scan showed no brain swelling which would be typical of someone suffering that condition. A post mortem confirmed she had died as a result of streptococcal meningitis.
The coroner returned a conclusion of natural causes. She said that she understood how Isabel's family would want to consider if anything could have prevented her tragic death but added: "I cannot find any error in Isabel's care which more likely than not would have made a difference to the sad outcome."
During the inquest two testimonials written by Isabel's teachers who described her as a pupil who was a "pleasure to teach" and was "wise beyond her years". After Isabel's death friends raised more than £2,000 for the UK Sepsis Trust.
On the fundraising page they said: "Isabel was in Year 11 and an extremely popular and well liked pupil. Isabel had a loyal and close group of friends and will be remembered by all who met her as a lovely, caring young person. Isabel always had excellent school reports for the progress she was making and for her attendance, punctuality and behaviour.
"Isabel was a very kind and gentle soul and will be very sadly missed by all her teachers and fellow pupils. She leaves her parents Ian and Geraldine, sister Bryde, grandma Barbara, aunties, uncles, cousins and many friends." Her passion was artwork and she excelled in her mock GCSEs. She also enjoyed walking her dog, Albert.
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