‘My two-year-old daughter was sent home from hospital with painkillers and died hours later'

A toddler tragically passed away just hours after being discharged from the hospital, with her parents instructed to administer Calpol and Ibuprofen for a supposed viral infection. The death of Hailey Thompson in December 2022 has now been linked to the bacterial infection Group A streptococcus, according to information presented at an inquest jury at Bolton Coroner's Court.

Hailey was just 22 months old and remembered by her parents, Kris Thompson and Ibolya Adam, as a "very funny and very happy" little girl who loved muddy puddles and playing dress-up.

However, the jury heard that the family, hailing from Ashton-in-Makerfield in Wigan, harbors serious doubts about the examination conducted by an A&E doctor the day before her untimely passing. Coroner Michael Pemberton informed jurors that the family would "likely be asking questions about the care and treatment she received."

Kris, Hailey's father, questioned whether thorough checks were performed on his daughter at the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary in Wigan and whether Strep A could have been detected and treated with antibiotics. The court was told that a few weeks before her death, on December 7, Hailey developed a cold and a cough. She was taken to the doctors and prescribed antibiotics for a suspected throat infection, which she took, as reported by the Manchester Evening News.

Two days later, when she picked her up from nursery, her mother noticed a red rash on her face and neck. They contacted the out-of-hours practitioner but were informed that no appointments were available until December 13.

The court heard that a decision was made to halt Hailey's antibiotics due to concerns about a potential allergy, as her older sister, Charlotte, is allergic to penicillin. The family sought further medical appointments and scheduled one for December 16.

On the day of the appointment, Hailey had a high fever and a runny nose at daycare, leading her mother to pick her up early. The court heard that the GP examined Hailey's chest and throat and diagnosed her with a viral infection, advising her to go home.

The following day, December 17, the court was told that Hailey seemed to be improving and had a good appetite. However, after she went to bed early in the evening, Kris checked on her around 11:30 pm and found her "gasping for air." They called emergency services but were informed of a "two-hour" wait.

The court heard that when the emergency operators called back, they were told no ambulances were available and it would be "better" to drive to the hospital. They arrived at the Royal Albert Edward Hospital's A&E department at 1 a.m. and waited almost five hours until a doctor saw Hailey. The court was told that while her chest appeared clear, the doctor had difficulty examining her throat and tonsils.

In a statement, Ibolya revealed that the doctor didn't use a flashlight to examine her throat and had to fetch a tongue depressor. Kris told the doctor about her previous GP visit and the diagnosis of a viral infection. He stated that Hailey was biting down on the tongue depressor, and when she finally opened her mouth, the doctor's light wasn't correctly positioned to see down her throat.

Kris noted that the doctor "appeared increasingly frustrated." The jury heard that the stick was then forced into her mouth, causing her to "gag" and vomit. He described Hailey as "pale and clingy" and felt the doctor had "given up."

No blood samples were taken, no tests were conducted, and no medication was given to Hailey. They were discharged at six a.m. with instructions to monitor her. A viral infection was diagnosed once again.

That night, December 18, Hailey went to bed showing "no alarming symptoms" after being given Calpol and was checked on before everyone else retired for the night. Hailey's mother, Ibolya, shared that they woke up at 5:30 a.m. the following day, December 19, to find Hailey cold in her crib.

Kris rushed into the bedroom and dialed 999, exclaiming "she's dying," the jury was told. "Everything was a blur," Ibolya confessed in her statement. The loving parent performed CPR on her until paramedics arrived and rushed her to the hospital. Tragically, Hailey passed away there around seven a.m..

Ibolya expressed that all of Hailey's symptoms should have been thoroughly examined, and she assumed Hailey's medical records would have been reviewed. The jury was informed that the cause of death was initially reported as sepsis and pneumonia, but it was later updated to include Group A streptococcus, a bacterial infection.