A devastated mother from Milton Keynes has issued an urgent plea to parents after a catastrophic NHS 111 failure led to the tragic death of her three-year-old daughter from sepsis.
Mum-of-three Hanna Rowley's world shattered when her vibrant daughter, Mabel, passed away just hours after an NHS call handler disastrously misdiagnosed her severe symptoms as mere 'constipation'.
The nightmare began when Mabel developed a high temperature and began vomiting. Following NHS guidelines, Hanna contacted the 111 service. The call handler, despite hearing the toddler's distressing symptoms, failed to escalate the case for urgent medical review.
"She was my little best friend," Hanna told an inquest, her voice breaking with emotion. "I want other parents to hear Mabel's story. I want them to know the signs of sepsis and to never be afraid to demand a second opinion."
Tragically, Mabel's condition rapidly deteriorated. She was later found unresponsive at home and rushed to hospital, where she suffered a fatal cardiac arrest. Medical experts confirmed her death was caused by Group A Streptococcal disease, which triggered septic shock.
A coroner's investigation revealed the NHS 111 call handler did not follow crucial protocols. Had they done so, Mabel would have received an urgent call back from a clinician within an hour—a call that might have saved her life.
Hanna's warning to other parents is stark and clear:
- Trust your instincts—you know your child best
- Understand the key signs of sepsis: lethargy, mottled skin, rapid breathing
- Never hesitate to seek immediate medical help if symptoms worsen
An NHS spokesperson offered "deepest condolences" to the family and confirmed that "learning from this tragedy" has been shared across the service to prevent future similar incidents.
This heartbreaking case underscores the critical importance of early sepsis detection and the devastating consequences when warning signs are missed.
