A 13-year-old girl, Chloe Longster, died in “unbearable pain” after her care for sepsis was delayed when hospital staff dismissed her as a “dramatic teenager,” an inquest has heard. Chloe, who had been healthy and active, was admitted to Kettering General Hospital in November 2022 with pneumonia and died just 18 hours later after developing sepsis. Her mother, Louise Longster, expressed that she believes her daughter’s death was “completely preventable.”
Mrs. Longster described how she repeatedly asked medical staff for help but was treated as a “mum who had been on Google,” while her daughter was dismissed as a “diva teen.” Chloe, who was in extreme pain, even asked her mother if she was going to die. “It’s haunting that the 13-year-old was the one who was right,” Mrs. Longster said, according to the Mirror.
At the inquest, Mrs. Longster explained that pain relief for Chloe was “delayed” and that in her final hours, Chloe was treated with “contempt.” On the weekend before her death, Chloe had symptoms of a cough and sniffles but was still well enough to attend a sleepover. Chloe, who had mild asthma, had never experienced an asthma attack before. Mrs. Longster testified that her daughter rarely used her inhaler and had generally been “incredibly healthy.”
On the Monday, Chloe felt unwell and called her mother from home, complaining of rib pain and vomiting. Mrs. Longster went home to check on her daughter and noticed her discomfort was worsening. Unable to reach a GP, she called 999, but was informed that an ambulance would take two hours. She then drove Chloe to the hospital herself.
Chloe’s pain intensified, and she had to be transported in a wheelchair by her brother upon arrival. In the paediatric A&E, Mrs. Longster observed how pale and clammy her daughter looked. Despite being given oral Oramorph for pain, Chloe continued to suffer. Mrs. Longster said her daughter begged, “stop saying it’s going to be OK mum. It hurts.”
The inquest heard that a cannula inserted in Chloe fell out while in A&E, and she was later diagnosed with a chest infection and given antibiotics before being admitted to the Skylark Ward. Mrs. Longster expressed frustration with the delays and the perceived lack of urgency, stating, “I remember making a comment that it feels like we are chasing her pain, not getting on top of it.”
Assistant coroner Sophie Lomas learned that a consultant was eventually called when Chloe’s oxygen levels dropped and more medical staff began attending to her. Mrs. Longster recounted how she was informed that Chloe had tested positive for Influenza A. A doctor, Dr. Marwan Gamaleldin, testified that Chloe’s sepsis score was not high enough initially to warrant further examination, despite her high heart rate and severe pain.
Reflecting on her daughter’s final hours, Mrs. Longster said, “During Chloe’s last 18 hours on this Earth she was in pain and treated with contempt.” The inquest continues as the family seeks answers regarding Chloe’s tragic death.