A 13-year-old girl, Chloe Longster, tragically died in ‘unbearable’ pain from sepsis in a hospital in Northamptonshire. The coroner at the inquest concluded that negligence by NHS staff contributed to her death. Assistant coroner Sophie Lomas highlighted several missed opportunities to save Chloe’s life, including delays in sepsis screening, treatment, and administering appropriate antibiotics.
Chloe, from Market Harborough in Leicestershire, was initially taken to the emergency department of Kettering General Hospital with severe rib pain. Despite showing mild cold-like symptoms in the days leading up to her death, Chloe’s condition quickly deteriorated in the hospital. She was transferred to the intensive care unit and, despite efforts to save her, tragically passed away after cardiac arrest.
During the inquest, it was revealed that crucial and significant missed opportunities existed in Chloe’s care. The coroner stated that earlier identification of her deteriorating condition could have altered the outcome. Chloe’s family described her as an exceptional individual with a heart of gold, deeply loved by her family.
Following the conclusion of the inquest, Chloe’s mother, Louise Longster, expressed her devastation at the loss of her daughter and the challenges faced during Chloe’s time in the hospital. The hospital trust acknowledged the shortcomings in Chloe’s care and expressed regret for not providing the necessary treatment.
In response to the findings, the group chief nurse for the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire, Julie Hogg, extended condolences to Chloe’s family and acknowledged the need for improvement in patient care. The coroner, Sophie Lomas, conveyed her condolences to Chloe’s family, recognising the tragic loss of a remarkable child.
Chloe’s untimely death serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of prompt and comprehensive medical care, particularly in cases of severe illness. The inquest highlighted systemic failures in recognising and responding to Chloe’s deteriorating condition, underscoring the need for enhanced protocols to prevent similar tragedies in the future.