An inquest jury has concluded that neglect contributed to the death of a five-month-old girl who died from meningitis after a series of missed opportunities in hospital to save or prolong her life.
Esta High died at Leeds General Infirmary in November 2023, days after she was brought to the emergency department with a high temperature and vomiting. Her parents, Lynsey Carr and Leon High, said doctors overlooked critical chances to test for a bacterial infection and begin essential antibiotic treatment.
Jury's Conclusion
On Tuesday, a jury of five women and six men concluded that Esta "died of natural causes which was contributed to by neglect" and that different care would probably have "saved or prolonged her life". The jury stated opportunities were missed as doctors persisted with a diagnosis of Covid after she tested positive for coronavirus.
There was no dispute that Esta's cause of death was streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis, the court heard. Lawyers for Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust acknowledged during the inquest that there had been missed opportunities to diagnose the bacterial infection and give Esta antibiotics.
Family's Account
Ms Carr told the jury how Esta was a "happy, healthy, smiling girl" before she became ill on October 31 2023. Her parents brought her to Leeds General Infirmary with a high temperature and vomiting, and she subsequently tested positive for Covid.
Ms Carr recounted how the family, from Leeds, was placed in a side room at the hospital's children's assessment and treatment (CAT) unit, where she felt staff were more focused on isolating Esta due to the Covid risk than heeding the parents' concerns. She revealed that she and Mr High rejected doctors' advice to take Esta home, as her temperature had risen to over 40 degrees and she was unable to stop vomiting.
Missed Opportunities
Ms Carr described how her daughter developed a rash and her arm began to shake, which she feared was a seizure. Mr High captured Esta's arm movements on film, which was later shown to the jury. Ms Carr told the jury "we were extremely worried" and "we kept asking for help", but "staff were rude and don't listen to our concerns". She described Esta's time on the CAT unit as "15 hours that were filled with missed opportunities".
By late afternoon on November 2, Esta could not be roused, and the jury was informed that scans and further tests revealed evidence of meningoencephalitis and streptococcus pneumoniae. Esta was rushed to intensive care where attempts were made to save her life, but Ms Carr said it was all too late. She passed away on November 6.
Family's Tribute
Ms Carr told the jury: "Unfortunately, as our daughter had been left untreated for 55 hours, it was too late to save our darling girl." She described her daughter as "bright, beautiful and perfect from the first moment", adding that "when she arrived, she completed us". She continued: "Her smile lit up every room – especially in the mornings when she woke as if full of joy just to see us again."
Ms Carr stated: "She made us a family of three and we were excited for every moment ahead. In just five months, Esta touched the lives of everyone who met her."
