South Western Ambulance Service dismissed child’s brain bleed as ‘night terror’
Mandy Luckman is instructed to investigate a medical negligence claim against South Western Ambulance Service (SWAST) after a paramedic allegedly failed to recognise signs of a bleed to the brain in a young girl, telling her parents to put her back to bed.
When seven-year-old Lottie* woke in the early hours, her parents immediately realised something was seriously wrong. She was screaming in pain, drifting in and out of consciousness, vomiting, and her eyes were rolling backwards.
They dialled 999 and stressed the urgency of her condition. They were told an ambulance might take up to an hour. As Lottie deteriorated, they called back but reportedly were advised that whilst it may be quicker to take her directly to hospital themselves, it was potentially unsafe to move her. Over half an hour later, the ambulance arrived, without blue lights or sirens.
On arrival, the senior SWAST paramedic suggested Lottie was simply experiencing a night terror and told her parents to put her back to bed. As experienced parents of four other children, they knew that Lottie's condition was far more serious.
The paramedic appeared to continue to dismiss her fluctuating consciousness, severe headache, vomiting and abnormal eye movements. The more junior ambulance worker raised the possibility of a seizure, but their concerns were brushed aside. Lottie’s grandmother, who was also present, voiced her fears, but these too were ignored.
It was only when her desperate parents said they would drive Lottie to hospital themselves that the paramedic reluctantly agreed to take her. Again, the ambulance travelled without lights or any sense urgency.
At Torbay Hospital, doctors immediately suspected meningitis and arranged a CT scan. The results revealed a life-threatening brain bleed caused by two arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). Lottie was transferred to Bristol Children’s Hospital for emergency neurosurgery.
The neurosurgical team expressed grave concern about the ambulance service’s handling of the case, warning that any further delay could have been fatal. If her parents had followed the paramedic's advice and put Lottie back to bed, it is unlikely that she would have survived. The hospital advised the family to lodge a formal complaint. An internal SWAST investigation followed, and the paramedic was removed from paediatric duties.
Lottie later underwent Gamma Knife radiotherapy and continues to face lasting physical and cognitive challenges because of her acquired brain injury. Despite her resilience and progress, she requires physiotherapy and additional educational support.
Mandy is now compiling medical records and witness evidence to investigate the care provided South Western Ambulance Service NHS Trust. Lottie’s parents hope their claim will raise awareness and improve standards so that other families do not suffer as they have.
*Name changed
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