The parents of Zara Cheesman expressed disappointment in the NHS staff, stating they had relied on them but felt let down when two opportunities to save their daughter were reportedly missed during her battle with meningitis.
Zara Cheesman, a 15-year-old from the Mapperley Park area of Nottingham, tragically passed away at Queen’s Medical Centre (QMC) in Nottingham just before Christmas last year. Her parents revealed at the Nottingham Coroner’s Court that she had been displaying symptoms of meningitis, which were allegedly overlooked by medical professionals.
On the night of December 19, Zara started vomiting and later collapsed, hitting her head. Her mother, Judith Cheesman, contacted the NHS helpline 111 after Zara complained of neck and shoulder pain, and was advised to go to A&E. However, upon arrival at QMC, a trainee nurse practitioner suspected meningitis but leaned towards a stomach bug diagnosis. The decision not to conduct blood tests before discharging Zara was defended by Dr. Derek Huffadine, a pediatric emergency medicine registrar, who believed Zara did not present clear signs of meningitis at the time.
The following day, Zara woke up confused, prompting a visit from East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) technicians. Despite concerns raised by her parents, the technicians allegedly dismissed the possibility of meningitis, attributing her condition to norovirus. Zara’s deteriorating state led to her being taken to the hospital the next morning, where she sadly passed away.
Zara’s parents expressed frustration and sorrow, emphasizing that the healthcare professionals should have recognized the severity of the situation earlier. They highlighted the missed chances to save Zara, describing her death as a result of easily treatable meningitis. The grief-stricken parents lamented the loss of their promising daughter, who was described as a bright and compassionate individual with aspirations to pursue a career in law.
The ongoing inquest aims to shed light on the circumstances surrounding Zara’s untimely death and is expected to continue for several more days.