Teenager's death linked to NHS delays in Kettering, October 2024
- Chloe Longster was admitted to Kettering General Hospital with severe rib pain on November 28, 2022.
- Delays in sepsis screening and treatment contributed to her deteriorating condition and eventual death.
- The coroner's findings highlighted neglect by NHS staff, leading to calls for improved patient care protocols.
In November 2022, a 13-year-old girl named Chloe Longster was taken to Kettering General Hospital in Northamptonshire, England, suffering from severe rib pain. Despite her critical condition, there were significant delays in her sepsis screening and treatment, which ultimately contributed to her death. A coroner's inquest revealed that Chloe's blood pressure was not recorded until nearly eight hours after her arrival, indicating a failure to monitor her deteriorating health. The coroner highlighted multiple missed opportunities for timely intervention by NHS staff. Chloe's family expressed their devastation over the neglect, emphasizing that she was a healthy child with no prior hospital admissions. Following the inquest, the family received an apology from the hospital's chief nurse, acknowledging the shortcomings in Chloe's care and offering condolences for their loss. The case has raised serious concerns about the quality of care provided by the NHS and the need for improvements in patient monitoring and response protocols.