THERE can hardly be a parent in the land who is not aware of the warning signs of meningitis and of the importance of getting prompt medical help. Indeed the advice from Meningitis Now stresses: “Do not wait for a rash. If someone is ill and getting worse, get medical help immediately.” 
Abby Dalton recognised the signs in her own baby daughter and did exactly the right thing by taking her to hospital. As a mother she knew there was something seriously wrong with her own child and she begged doctors to help her. Her instincts were absolutely right and she could have done nothing more.
But she was let down by the very medics she went to for help. She was told to take little Eloise home and give her Calpol.
A vital window in which Eloise’s life could have been saved was missed and she died six days later. She was only admitted at all when Abby refused to leave the hospital - and by the time a proper diagnosis was made it was too late to save her.
Now Abby is warning that doctors are not always right, and she is urging other parents to follow their instincts. 
Leeds General Infirmary has held an investigation into the tragedy and has made a number of changes to its clinical practices since Eloise’s death in 2009. It says it now has a much greater input from senior clinicians to the care of all patients in the children’s wards.
This case must serve as a warning to hospitals everywhere so that no more children will have to die in such a needless way.