Mother of schoolgirl, 13, who died of sepsis after hospital failings reveals nurse told her she was making her pain worse by trying to breathe

In 2022, a 13-year-old girl named Chloe Longster tragically died from sepsis after being admitted to Kettering General Hospital in Northamptonshire, England. Chloe, who had been a healthy and energetic teenager, presented with severe pain and cold-like symptoms, leading her family to seek emergency care. Despite her critical condition, her mother, Louise Longster, felt that hospital staff did not adequately recognize the severity of Chloe's illness, leading to delays in treatment and pain management. An inquest into Chloe's death revealed significant failings in the hospital's care, including a lack of proper sepsis screening and inadequate pain relief. Chloe was reportedly told by a nurse to 'calm down' during a time when she was struggling to breathe, which further exacerbated her distress. The inquest highlighted that Chloe was treated with a lack of urgency, and her mother felt compelled to advocate for her daughter's needs amidst a chaotic hospital environment. Chloe's condition deteriorated rapidly, and she was moved to a side room after testing positive for Influenza A. Despite her mother's concerns and pleas for help, Chloe's pain was not effectively managed, and she was not given an identification bracelet. The inquest concluded that neglect and a series of failures by the hospital contributed to her untimely death. This heartbreaking case underscores the critical importance of timely and appropriate medical care, particularly in emergency situations, and raises questions about hospital protocols and staff training in recognizing and treating sepsis effectively.