A toddler, Haisleigh Finlay, narrowly escaped death when a hospital misdiagnosed her meningitis as a stomach bug. Initially sent home with a misdiagnosis, Haisleigh was later found to be battling meningococcal sepsis, a severe infection linked to meningitis. Despite showing worsening symptoms, it took a second trip to the hospital before her critical condition was recognized.
The hospital has expressed regret for the distress caused to the family but refrained from commenting on individual cases. An internal investigation into the incident is nearing completion. Haisleigh’s mother, Kayleigh, emphasized the importance of parents trusting their instincts and advocating for their children’s health.
Following the misdiagnosis, Haisleigh was urgently transferred to another hospital for specialized care, where she was placed on life support due to the severity of her condition. Despite a stroke and brain damage, Haisleigh’s recovery has been positive, although the long-term effects remain uncertain. Kayleigh emphasized the need for hospitals to listen to parents and act swiftly in critical situations to prevent avoidable harm.
The Gateshead Health NHS Trust, responsible for the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, expressed sympathy for Haisleigh and her family, promising to share their investigative findings and implement necessary improvements to enhance patient care.
