The grieving family of a young heiress is demanding a thorough investigation after their daughter's death from a severe reaction to an insect bite, claiming she was failed by the NHS 111 service.
Olivia-Rose Sprague, a 24-year-old from Hertfordshire, passed away in July 2023 after being told by a call handler to simply take antihistamines following a bite on her ankle. Her condition rapidly deteriorated into fatal anaphylactic shock.
A Cascade of Medical Errors
In the days following the bite, Olivia-Rose's health declined sharply. She developed a high fever and began vomiting, prompting her concerned mother to contact the NHS non-emergency line. Despite describing these severe symptoms, the advice given was tragically inadequate.
Her family revealed that the call handler did not escalate the call to a clinician or advise immediate hospital care. Just hours after this call, Olivia-Rose was found unresponsive and could not be revived.
Family's Heartbreaking Anguish
Her mother, Michelle Sprague, expressed her profound devastation in a statement, saying her family has been "completely broken" by the loss. She described her daughter as a "beautiful, kind, and caring soul" whose life was cut short needlessly.
The family is now calling for a full inquest and a critical review of the NHS 111 protocols, particularly how call handlers assess and triage potential anaphylaxis cases. They believe a different response could have saved her life.
NHS Response and Ongoing Scrutiny
The East of England Ambulance Service, which operates the NHS 111 service in the region, has launched an internal investigation into the handling of the call. A spokesperson extended their "deepest condolences" to the family and confirmed they are cooperating fully with the coroner's inquiry.
This tragic incident has cast a spotlight on the immense pressure faced by non-emergency medical services and the critical importance of recognising the signs of severe allergic reactions.
