An inquest has heard that a 13-year-old girl was experiencing “unbearable” anguish just before succumbing to sepsis.
According to her mother, Chloe Longster questioned a coroner in November 2022 if she was “going to die” as she was in a pediatric unit at Kettering General Hospital in Northamptonshire.
Her daughter’s remarks, according to Louise Longster, were “haunting.
Mrs. Longster stated at Monday’s Northampton inquest that she thought her attempts to obtain additional assistance were making her a “nuisance” to the hospital staff.
On November 28, 2022, a day after going to the hospital, Chloe passed away. She woke up with symptoms of a cold and rib pain, so she was transported to the emergency room. The following day, she passed away.
Assistant coroner Sophie Lomas heard that after being admitted to the pediatric ward, Skylark, she was moved to intensive care.
Mrs. Longster testified at the court that Chloe begged to be put to death because her condition was intolerable.
“It’s harrowing to see your own child in so much pain.”
Pain alleviation, according to Mrs. Longster, is “always delayed.”.
“She was clock-watching constantly—she knew when her paracetamol and ibuprofen were due, and it was always delayed,” said Mrs. Longster.
It seemed more like we were running after her suffering than confronting it head-on.
“On Skylark, Chloe inquired of me whether she would pass away. The fact that the 13-year-old was correct is unsettling. It is utterly disastrous.
She said that because she was attempting to obtain extra assistance on the ward, she was being “dramatic” and a “nuisance.”.
Before Chloe was sent to the pediatric ward, Dr. Marwan Gamaleldin, the A&E consultant, visited her three or four times and thought she had a chest infection, according to the inquest.
“The primary concern was already identified as pain,” Dr. Gamaleldin stated.
“She did not come across as struggling to breathe.”
He said she was taking four different painkillers.
During the two hours that he watched Chloe, Dr. Gamaleldin stated that he “did not think” she had sepsis.
Chloe was triaged by hospital nurse Tricia Martinez, who had just joined the pediatric unit, according to what the coroner heard.
She said Chloe appeared to be in “agony” during the inquest.
She “escalated” the situation, according to the nurse, and requested the X-ray.
However, she claimed that she did not check a box on a screening form for sepsis.
“The fault on my part was that I was not able to complete the sepsis form or go back to it after escalating,” she explained.
“Something told me that there was a problem with this child when I first saw her.
“We can only suggest or say she has possibly this or that, but the diagnosis will be given by the doctor.”