When five-year-old Lila Marsland developed a headache, sickness, and neck pain, her mother, Rachael Mincherton, brought her to the A&E department in Hyde, Greater Manchester. Hospital staff discharged the child with tonsillitis, but hours later her mother discovered her unresponsive in bed, and paramedics pronounced her dead at the scene.
Rachael, who works as a district nurse, suspected meningitis during the hospital visit on December 27, 2023. However, medics at Tameside Hospital failed to perform blood tests and sent the young girl home with oral antibiotics at around 2.40am on December 28.
Following legal action led by Irwin Mitchell, the Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust admitted to failures in assessing, diagnosing, and treating Lila's bacterial meningitis. The Trust acknowledged that these mistakes materially contributed to her death and provided an undisclosed financial settlement to the family.
Reflecting on the tragedy, Rachael stated, "Losing Lila is something we'll never come to terms with. She was the most amazing and adorable little girl." She added that having clarity regarding the circumstances of her daughter's passing mattered deeply to them, even though nothing could bring her back.
What is meningitis?
It can be mistaken as the flu or even a hangover, but knowing the symptoms of potentially deadly meningitis could save your life.
It is the inflammation of the membranes that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord and can be caused by meningococcal bacteria and viral meningitis.
If it is not treated quickly, meningitis can cause life-threatening septicaemia (blood poisoning) and result in permanent damage to the brain or nerves.
The two forms of the disease have different symptoms.
Around 3,200 people a year get bacterial meningitis. One in 10 die and many more are left with life-changing disabilities.
Viral forms of meningitis are less common and rarely life-threatening, but can have lifelong effects.
Infections peak during winter when bugs spread more easily in confined spaces.
Meningitis is usually passed on from people who carry the virus or bacterial form in their throat or nose, but aren't ill themselves.
It can be passed through kissing, sneezing, coughing and sharing household items such as toothbrushes or cutlery.
It is thought that the bacteria are able to invade the body more easily via the nose and throat during winter due to recent infection with flu virus.
The illness can be caught from someone who is ill with meningitis but this is more rare.
The symptoms of meningitis develop suddenly and include:
- A high fever over 37.5 degrees - the average human temperature
- being sick
- A headache
- A blotchy rash that doesn't fade when a glass is rolled over it
- Stiffness, especially in the neck
- Sensitivity to bright lights
- Drowsiness, irritability or lack of energy
- Cold hands and feet
- Seizures
An inquest held in June last year resulted in a jury concluding that Lila's death was preventable and contributed to neglect. Coroner Chris Morris also issued a prevention of future deaths report after noting that no medical record seemed to exist for the examination performed by a locum registrar.
Seeking to prevent similar tragedies, the family established a charity named Lila's Light to assist siblings dealing with bereavement. Supporters and family members have collected £33,000 for the cause so far.
