A London mother is taking legal action against an NHS trust after medical staff allegedly dismissed her three-year-old daughter's sepsis symptoms as "just a virus," leading to a life-threatening emergency that left the child fighting for her life.
Every Parent's Worst Nightmare
The distressing incident unfolded when Lily-Rose's mother, Chloe Sanderson, rushed her daughter to hospital after noticing alarming symptoms including a high fever, mottled skin, and extreme lethargy. Despite presenting clear red flags for sepsis, medical professionals reportedly assured the concerned mother that her daughter merely had a common childhood virus.
The Critical Hours
According to court documents, doctors at the hospital sent Lily-Rose home with paracetamol advice. Mere hours later, the toddler's condition deteriorated dramatically, forcing her mother to return to the hospital where staff finally recognised the gravity of the situation.
"She went from being my active little girl to lying there lifeless," Ms. Sanderson recounted. "I knew something was terribly wrong, but I felt dismissed and unheard by the very people who were supposed to help us."
What Is Sepsis?
Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that arises when the body's response to an infection causes injury to its own tissues and organs. In children, early recognition and treatment are critical for survival. The UK Sepsis Trust estimates that sepsis affects around 250,000 people in Britain each year, with approximately 50,000 deaths annually.
Legal Action and NHS Response
The family's lawsuit claims the hospital failed to follow established sepsis protocols and missed multiple opportunities to provide timely treatment. Medical negligence experts suggest that earlier intervention could have prevented the severity of Lily-Rose's condition.
An NHS spokesperson stated: "We extend our sincere apologies to Lily-Rose and her family. While we cannot comment on ongoing legal proceedings, we are thoroughly reviewing our procedures to ensure such cases are prevented in future."
Warning Signs Every Parent Should Know
- Slurred speech or confusion
- Extreme shivering or muscle pain
- Passing no urine in a day
- Severe breathlessness
- Mottled or discoloured skin
- High fever with cold hands and feet
The case has reignited discussions about sepsis awareness in paediatric care and the importance of listening to parents' concerns in emergency medical situations.
