A woman who died from meningitis was not given antibiotics which
could have saved her life, an inquest has been told.
Joanne Dowling, 25, who had cystic fibrosis, was taken to Milton
Keynes General Hospital after her GP spotted a purple rash on her,
suspecting meningococcal septicaemia.
But a "breakdown in communication" among doctors at the hospital
meant no one prescribed her with the drugs.
Miss Dowling was given a CT brain scan and a "lumbar puncture",
which takes a sample of spinal fluid to diagnose meningitis, by a
temporary consultant. The locum then recommended that a
microbiologist advised on which antibiotic would be most suitable
because of the patient's other condition.
The lumbar puncture result returned negative and another doctor,
who had taken over Miss Dowling's care, made a decision that no
antibiotics were necessary. The inquest in Milton Keynes was
told by a pathologist witness that such tests do not always reveal
meningococcal septicaemia.
Miss Dowling's condition quickly deteriorated and she died 14
hours after arriving at the hospital on November 24 last year.
Milton Keynes Coroner Thomas Osborne concluded the inquest with
a narrative verdict, which records the circumstances of the death
but does not attribute its cause.
Milton Keynes Hospital NHS foundation trust issued a statement,
accepting the coroner's verdict and expressing sympathy for the
family of the victim.
It said it had carried out a "comprehensive internal
investigation to review (Miss Dowling's) care and treatment" and
that the resulting recommendations are being implemented.
The trust added: "Following the inquest, senior nursing and
clinical staff met with Joanne's parents and a further meeting is
planned to discuss any remaining outstanding concerns they
have."