View Full Version : Toddler dies at GP surgery after 70 minute wait...
A 23-MONTH-OLD girl died in a GP’s waiting room after she had to wait 70 minutes to get medical attention, her mother has claimed.
Lucie Linforth passed out after her lips turned blue but admin staff allegedly refused to interrupt a doctor so she could be helped.
Dad Eric, 33, had rushed his daughter to the practice after she had feverish coughs during the night.
Her mother Angie Collins has claimed he repeatedly pleaded with receptionists to get a doctor to examine Lucie but he was told to wait his turn.
She sais that the father eventually threatened to ring an ambulance and a doctor finally emerged but Lucie’s heart stopped beating and she died shortly afterwards.
Devastated my Angie, 40, has said she wants justice for her tragic girl.
She said: “This should never happen again to any other family. I will never get over this.
“I want to get Lucie’s story out there and try to stop it happening again.
“She was so full of life and I feel really angry that there was an hour and ten minutes where nothing was done
“I feel they took away her lifeline. All I can do now is carry on fighting, I need justice for my little girl.
“I will keep saying this, she was a healthy, vibrant, lively character full of fight, and her life was just chucked away that morning.”
Eric told how he arrived at a surgery in Bedfordshire at 8.45am — before it had even opened and pleaded with reception staff to get his daughter medical attention.
But he claims he was repeatedly told to wait despite begging for a doctor to see his little girl as she struggled to breathe.
He said the receptionist didn’t even look at the sick child in his arms as he was told to stay in the queue.
By the time Lucie was taken into the “minor illness examination room” at 10.10am, her heart had stopped beating.
Doctors spent 45 minutes trying to resuscitate her and she was rushed to Bedford Hospital where an emergency team kept working in vain to save her life.
An inquest into the death was opened and adjourned on Friday, but the results of a post-mortem have so far proven inconclusive. The couple claim the wasted time could have saved their daughter’s life.
Police are investigating the events surrounding the death and are preparing a report for the coroner.
Doctor Fiona Sim, medical director for NHS Bedfordshire and Luton, said: “This is a tragic death of a little girl and our thoughts and condolences are with the family.
“The family must be going through terrible turmoil at this devastating time.”
Scarlett.
23-10-2012, 03:01 PM
Seems like something A&E should be dealing with tbf
Vicky.
23-10-2012, 03:01 PM
Sad, but why didnt the parents take her to A+E if it was that serious
She sais that the father eventually threatened to ring an ambulance
Why waste time, why not do this in the first place when it because clear that for whatever reason the docs wouldnt see her?
Doctors surgeries are not to be use in emergencies. I thought everyone knew this.
..well tbf she just had a feverish cough through the night...I don't think I would have taken either of my boys to A&E either for that....the rest happened during her wait at the surgery, which couldn't have been predicted but the reception staff didn't heed dad's pleas
Vicky.
23-10-2012, 03:14 PM
..well tbf she just had a feverish cough through the night...I don't think I would have taken either of my boys to A&E either for that....the rest happened during her wait at the surgery, which couldn't have been predicted but the reception staff didn't heed dad's pleas
Lucie Linforth passed out after her lips turned blue but admin staff allegedly refused to interrupt a doctor so she could be helped.
--
Surely as soon as this happened, a responsible parent would have phoned 999 immediately...not stood arguing with the receptionist :S
GiRTh
23-10-2012, 03:16 PM
Terrible story. The name Lucie Linforth sounds like a Harry Potter character.
the truth
23-10-2012, 03:18 PM
Sad, but why didnt the parents take her to A+E if it was that serious
Why waste time, why not do this in the first place when it because clear that for whatever reason the docs wouldnt see her?
Doctors surgeries are not to be use in emergencies. I thought everyone knew this.
wouldnt she have phoned to book the appointment? in which case wouldnt she have described the symptoms over the phone? if she did whydidnt the receptionist either put her through to speak to the doctor or tell her to go to a and e?
Lucie Linforth passed out after her lips turned blue but admin staff allegedly refused to interrupt a doctor so she could be helped.
--
Surely as soon as this happened, a responsible parent would have phoned 999 immediately...not stood arguing with the receptionist :S
...I see your point Vicky..but I do think that if you're in a medical environment and a child or anyone's condition suddenly deteriorates quickly, you would expect trained medical staff to intervene as it's quite easy for a parent to panic in situations..whereas the doctor would know exactly what to do...had the reception informed him.....
...also it could have been too late when the amulance arrived...which obviously it was anyway...
Vicky.
23-10-2012, 03:29 PM
wouldnt she have phoned to book the appointment? in which case wouldnt she have described the symptoms over the phone? if she did whydidnt the receptionist either put her through to speak to the doctor or tell her to go to a and e?
Depends, some people just turn up at the docs and expect to be seen without an appointment.
...I see your point Vicky..but I do think that if you're in a medical environment and a child or anyone's condition suddenly deteriorates quickly, you would expect trained medical staff to intervene as it's quite easy for a parent to panic in situations..whereas the doctor would know exactly what to do...had the reception informed him.....
...also it could have been too late when the amulance arrived...which obviously it was anyway...
Of course, however when it became clear that the receptionist (who sounds like an utter cow btw, bit like the one in our surgery) was not willing to let them see a doctor, I would imagine most parents next option would be to phone 999...especially if their childs lips were blue. Its not clear if it would have been too late for an ambulance, as the story says that after speaking to the receptionist, the father 'eventually' threatened to ring an ambulance. This could mean he was arguing with her for 2 mins or half an hour, or more.
This receptionist should be sacked. In short. But the parents should also have rang an ambulance. Anyway, besides all of this, the story is so sad. RIP little one :(
Depends, some people just turn up at the docs and expect to be seen without an appointment.
Of course, however when it became clear that the receptionist (who sounds like an utter cow btw, bit like the one in our surgery) was not willing to let them see a doctor, I would imagine most parents next option would be to phone 999...especially if their childs lips were blue. Its not clear if it would have been too late for an ambulance, as the story says that after speaking to the receptionist, the father 'eventually' threatened to ring an ambulance. This could mean he was arguing with her for 2 mins or half an hour, or more.
This receptionist should be sacked. In short. But the parents should also have rang an ambulance. Anyway, besides all of this, the story is so sad. RIP little one :(
...tbh, I would have ignored her and barged into the GPs room but as you say, I don't know how much time elapsed between her lips turning blue and her dying....you would think though that in the 70 minute wait, when she was so poorly, somebody else would have noticed she should have immediate attention...I don't know about these things but after such a long wait..did it all happen so quickly in the end that nobody could help her.....
...I don't know why the wait was so long in the first place...I guess it was because she didn't have an appointment and she was waiting to be fitted in..but I always thought that in any medical situation, children had priority over anyone else...
Tom4784
23-10-2012, 03:41 PM
Well if this story happened how it was reported then I hope charges are brought against the people at this medical centre. It's gross negligence.
Mrluvaluva
23-10-2012, 04:04 PM
Sounds awful. Once her situation deteriorated so rapidly, the receptionist should have got the doctor immediately. Surely these people are trained in how to handle things like this?
With regards to the parents, we can all have our views what we may, or may not, have done, with hindsight, but not everybody reacts the same in certain situations, as some are strong and instinct kicks in, but some crumble and god knows they became so worried they were not thinking straight and their judgement possibly became clouded. I would imagine they live every day wishing they had done things differently.
Vanessa
23-10-2012, 04:07 PM
That's a disgrace! The poor baby was dying and the doctors refused to help. :mad:
Sounds awful. Once her situation deteriorated so rapidly, the receptionist should have got the doctor immediately. Surely these people are trained in how to handle things like this?
With regards to the parents, we can all have our views what we may, or may not, have done, with hindsight, but not everybody reacts the same in certain situations, as some are strong and instinct kicks in, but some crumble and god knows they became so worried they were not thinking straight and their judgement possibly became clouded. I would imagine they live every day wishing they had done things differently.
..I don't understand the 70 minute wait in the first place..even without an appointment made, children usually take priority in medical situations
That's a disgrace! The poor baby was dying and the doctors refused to help. :mad:
..the GP wasn't informed Vanessa...the receptionists refused to tell him...when he did finally come it was too late...
Vanessa
23-10-2012, 04:18 PM
..I don't understand the 70 minute wait in the first place..even without an appointment made, children usually take priority in medical situations
..the GP wasn't informed Vanessa...the receptionists refused to tell him...when he did finally come it was too late...
Then the receptionist is responsible. The child could have been saved. :sad::bawling:
Tom4784
23-10-2012, 04:24 PM
A lot of receptionists tend to be Mini-Hitlers, they just go mad with a little power.
..that's what many of them are like Dezzy..it'll be interesting to get more facts about this story because my first thoughts are that they kept him waiting because he hadn't made an appointment and they put him down as just a fussy parent, who they kept waiting...and then it all went wrong
Vicky.
23-10-2012, 04:33 PM
A lot of receptionists tend to be Mini-Hitlers, they just go mad with a little power.
Yes, one of the receptionists at my local doctors is absolutely awful. Doesnt matter when you ring she says theres no appointments for a fortnight. I had a quite serious need to see a doc a few months ago (not serious enough for hospital) and she said I would have to wait over 2 weeks to see someone. I went to the docs anyway, as the doctors seem to float around a lot between appointments, so I just nabbed my GP while he was walking around in reception, he told me he had a patient to see but he would fit me in after them, and proceeded to go down the receptionists throat too. That was fun to watch :D
Vanessa
23-10-2012, 04:33 PM
..that's what many of them are like Dezzy..it'll be interesting to get more facts about this story because my first thoughts are that they kept him waiting because he hadn't made an appointment and they put him down as just a fussy parent, who they kept waiting...and then it all went wrong
But surely the receptionist should have notice the child was in a bad way? Her lips turned blue at some point! :eek:
arista
23-10-2012, 04:37 PM
A lot of receptionists tend to be Mini-Hitlers, they just go mad with a little power.
Yes they want to keep their jobs
AnnieK
23-10-2012, 04:46 PM
How awful......I think I would have just barged into the docs office anyway but you really don't know how you will react in these situations. I was in a restaurant with my 23 month old recently and he started to choke, I am trained in paediatric first aid but just froze in mad panic...luckily my partner was with me and managed to clear his throat but I was useless.. The father probably did the same, the receptionist should be held accountable..a child's welfare is surely worth the risk of getting a bollocking for disturbing the doctor if it turned out not to be serious?? RIP little one
the truth
23-10-2012, 05:01 PM
A lot of receptionists tend to be Mini-Hitlers, they just go mad with a little power.
100% true. this has been going on for decades. frankly it wont improve until legal action is broght against a receptionist and the practice. The doctors hide behind awful untrained unprofessional receptionists, who simply stone wall sick people all day every day.
How awful......I think I would have just barged into the docs office anyway but you really don't know how you will react in these situations. I was in a restaurant with my 23 month old recently and he started to choke, I am trained in paediatric first aid but just froze in mad panic...luckily my partner was with me and managed to clear his throat but I was useless.. The father probably did the same, the receptionist should be held accountable..a child's welfare is surely worth the risk of getting a bollocking for disturbing the doctor if it turned out not to be serious?? RIP little one
...yeah, something similar happened to someone I know..she had all the training but just panicked because it was her own child...
..whether the dad's decision to take her to the GPs instead of A&E was the right one or not, it doesn't change the fact that there were trained medical staff on the premises at the time the child was in crisis and nobody sought them out until it was too late...
Nedusa
23-10-2012, 07:40 PM
Does anyone yet know the cause of death ??
Benjamin
23-10-2012, 07:51 PM
A lot of receptionists tend to be Mini-Hitlers, they just go mad with a little power.
Urgh, I know right. So many have such a superiority complex and make me want to scream at them that they are just a receptionist (no offence to receptionists, just the snooty ones).
But poor little girl. Although, yeah, the parents really should have taken better action if they were so concerned, I know I would have rung an ambulance if my daughter was like that.
..the inquest has been adjourned but the post mortem results are inconclusive..
Livia
23-10-2012, 07:55 PM
Surely most decent people at a surgery would have stepped aside for a sick little girl. I don't understand the long wait. I've been in casualty before when an injured child has arrived and everyone allowed her to jump the queue. What a sad story.
..regardless of where she was taken, there were trained medical staff on the premises and nobody even notified them until it was too late...
the truth
23-10-2012, 08:17 PM
Surely most decent people at a surgery would have stepped aside for a sick little girl. I don't understand the long wait. I've been in casualty before when an injured child has arrived and everyone allowed her to jump the queue. What a sad story.
These receptionists are pure evil, they clearly didnt give a damn about the life of this little girl, as long as the receptionists are in control , they dont care about saving lives, period. everything else comes second to ego.
Kazanne
23-10-2012, 08:25 PM
A 23-MONTH-OLD girl died in a GP’s waiting room after she had to wait 70 minutes to get medical attention, her mother has claimed.
Lucie Linforth passed out after her lips turned blue but admin staff allegedly refused to interrupt a doctor so she could be helped.
Dad Eric, 33, had rushed his daughter to the practice after she had feverish coughs during the night.
Her mother Angie Collins has claimed he repeatedly pleaded with receptionists to get a doctor to examine Lucie but he was told to wait his turn.
She sais that the father eventually threatened to ring an ambulance and a doctor finally emerged but Lucie’s heart stopped beating and she died shortly afterwards. I find that some of the receptionists are rude and condescending and not much help at all,I'de have barged my way in.
Devastated my Angie, 40, has said she wants justice for her tragic girl.
She said: “This should never happen again to any other family. I will never get over this.
“I want to get Lucie’s story out there and try to stop it happening again.
“She was so full of life and I feel really angry that there was an hour and ten minutes where nothing was done
“I feel they took away her lifeline. All I can do now is carry on fighting, I need justice for my little girl.
“I will keep saying this, she was a healthy, vibrant, lively character full of fight, and her life was just chucked away that morning.”
Eric told how he arrived at a surgery in Bedfordshire at 8.45am — before it had even opened and pleaded with reception staff to get his daughter medical attention.
But he claims he was repeatedly told to wait despite begging for a doctor to see his little girl as she struggled to breathe.
He said the receptionist didn’t even look at the sick child in his arms as he was told to stay in the queue.
By the time Lucie was taken into the “minor illness examination room” at 10.10am, her heart had stopped beating.
Doctors spent 45 minutes trying to resuscitate her and she was rushed to Bedford Hospital where an emergency team kept working in vain to save her life.
An inquest into the death was opened and adjourned on Friday, but the results of a post-mortem have so far proven inconclusive. The couple claim the wasted time could have saved their daughter’s life.
Police are investigating the events surrounding the death and are preparing a report for the coroner.
Doctor Fiona Sim, medical director for NHS Bedfordshire and Luton, said: “This is a tragic death of a little girl and our thoughts and condolences are with the family.
“The family must be going through terrible turmoil at this devastating time.”
I have just read this Ammi,what a truly horrible thing to happen to this family,Time MAY have saved this little girl,the parents must be besides themselves.
the truth
23-10-2012, 08:49 PM
I have just read this Ammi,what a truly horrible thing to happen to this family,Time MAY have saved this little girl,the parents must be besides themselves.
there are some people and thenumber has grown in recent years, who are simply cold callous and plain nasty. for some sad reason some of these people end up working in the nhs, the stories of horrific receptionists and personal assistants at medical and dental practices across the nation is phenomenal....I would also add the number of cases of neglect with nurses is also sky high....25000 people died of blood clots in 2010 in hospitals through nursing negligence, where they arrived at the hospital without a clot and left in a body bag....add the thousands who have DNR's so are left to die without even informing the next of kin or discussing it. the argument doesnt need to be on the right to die, the argument needs to be about the right TO LIVE!
i THINK THIS FAMILY SHOULD TAKE LEGAL ACTION. not for money but to show these evil receptionists that they are guilty of causing the death of an innocent young girl. this is tantamount to manslaughter. It is one of thousands of neglectful incidents where corrupt staff cause patients severe pain and in some cases death. It must be highlghted and made an example of. People think all the focus on jimmy saville is worth all that media time. yet stories like this need way more time in the headlines. saville abused children, these receptionists actually help kill children
nicole_burks
23-10-2012, 09:24 PM
Wouldn't the parents realize their child stopped breathing?
and then done something about it??
..something was done by that time Nicole, but unfortunately it was too late...
...accountability is being investigated...and if there's any prosecutions involved, they'll happen..but I wouldn't say the word 'evil' applies...
joeysteele
23-10-2012, 09:38 PM
Absolutely horrific story,if this had heppened with a Nephew or Niece of mine and I had been in the surgery,I would have just gone straight to the Doctors room if I was getting nowhere with the receptionist.
They can be very difficult but since she was unable totally to properly assess the critical situation then this Receptionist should not be in any position where she has any influence whatsoever as to anyone's welfare and life anytime ever in the future.
the truth
24-10-2012, 01:08 AM
..something was done by that time Nicole, but unfortunately it was too late...
...accountability is being investigated...and if there's any prosecutions involved, they'll happen..but I wouldn't say the word 'evil' applies...
iif causing the unnecessary death of an innocent little girl isnt evil, then what is?
judging by the disgusting behaviour of medical receptionists up and down the country, exactly how many peoples health suffer as a result? how many actually die? They make me sick
larry david did a typically ingenius take on this ongoing problem with ignorant intrusive incompetent uncaring belligerent medical receptionists....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0PG7ZL5DkQ
she asks him personal questions and blocks him talkingto his doctor, He then starts asking her personal questions , she didnt like it, EXACTLY.
iif causing the unnecessary death of an innocent little girl isnt evil, then what is?
judging by the disgusting behaviour of medical receptionists up and down the country, exactly how many peoples health suffer as a result? how many actually die? They make me sick
larry david did a typically ingenius take on this ongoing problem with ignorant intrusive incompetent uncaring belligerent medical receptionists....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0PG7ZL5DkQ
she asks him personal questions and blocks him talkingto his doctor, He then starts asking her personal questions , she didnt like it, EXACTLY.
..that will be established during the enquiry....
..in the meantime, I'm not going to detract from this tragedy by turning it into a hatefest..
Kizzy
25-10-2012, 09:36 AM
If a child was 'floppy' (high fever, shallow breathing) I would have thought it was ambulance time?
Medical staff should be trained in the warning signs, however you would have thought it was common sense...
In my surgery i've seen kids come in and seen a doc immediately, it's accepted practice.
The most heartbreaking aspect of this is the reaction of her twin.
Vanessa
25-10-2012, 09:48 AM
If a child was 'floppy' (high fever, shallow breathing) I would have thought it was ambulance time?
Medical staff should be trained in the warning signs, however you would have thought it was common sense...
In my surgery i've seen kids come in and seen a doc immediately, it's accepted practice.
The most heartbreaking aspect of this is the reaction of her twin.
I can't believe the receptionist didn't notice the child was in a bad way. I would have called the doctor immediately. :nono:
the truth
25-10-2012, 04:33 PM
..that will be established during the enquiry....
..in the meantime, I'm not going to detract from this tragedy by turning it into a hatefest..
oh so wewait for an enquiry in this case? but rush to judgements on all other cases where people are guilty by tabloid? double standards
this type of thing happens all day every day across the UK with corrupt horrific recpetionists demanding personal information thatis none of their business, making medical calls theyre not trained to make, blocking people in emergencies and not giving the correct advice. the misadministration at these practices also causes untold delays in making appointments, receiving doctors papers, affecting benefits, also delays in crucial sometimes lifesaving appointments for tests , treatments, results, which lead to operations
this has to be cleaned up its a national disgrace
...hmmmm, I take it you haven't had very positive experiences at your surgery, that's a shame...I hope it improves for you..
the truth
26-10-2012, 02:34 AM
...hmmmm, I take it you haven't had very positive experiences at your surgery, that's a shame...I hope it improves for you..
no I havent at any medical practice in terms of ignorant dangerous receptionists who think theyre doctors, nor has any of my friend or family over a period of many years. its very disturbinghos these women behave.Im certain this is widespread across the country. Thers something wrong with the set up in these surgeries and the fact of the matter is the medical staff seem to hide behind these ignorant receptionists. there is also the issue of district nurses, they have power over life and death , they can section YOU or anyone else or have you forced into a home for life in 5 minutes. yet try and make an appointment to see one, impossible
rather oddly veterinary surgeries can encounter similar type of hitler receptionists. I went to a vet once, he was throughly professional, patient and decent. lets face it, the job of a vet is just phenomenal, the sheer amount of work, study, knowledge, varried experience and lifetimes work is unbelievable. then youre left alone with your beloved sick pet and within 2 minutes of leaving the vet and seeing your pet, the receptionist whom youve never ever met, says, well have you made up your mind yet? are you putting her down or not? :conf:that type of poison stays with you
...I'm very sorry to hear about your experiences...I can see how that would make you feel about medical administrative staff...
...in this tragic case of the toddler..on the surface it would appear some kind of negligence may have occurred, as she died where medical help was readily available but not given until it was too late....
...but then we don't always get all the facts....that's the problem with the tabloids....everything is so sensationalised...I'll be interested to see what the outcome is...and whether there is any accountability or whether it's one of those tragic that couldn't have been prevented....
MummyTo4Angels
03-01-2013, 03:43 PM
She was not registered at that doctors surgery hence being told to wait!
Her lips turned blue after 20mins it has been stated by the father in countless articals and then he had to wait another 50mins
Now I am sorry me the first sign of blue lips I would of called an ambulance or at the very least screamed blue murder ANY doctor would of come running same as the nurse BUT instead he chose to sit and wait.
The closest A&E was only 13 mins away from that surgery as well.
Also please remember the police have closed there case the inquest is adjourned and the coroner has said the PM was inconclusive.
The surgery have not given any interviews on this matter they I would think would of been legally advised and an NHS representative has been appointed to deal with it.
There was also no witnesses to coroborate the fathers claims he went up to the reception desk 4 or 5 times to yet the surgery was full for the early morning clinic.
Perhaps it is better not to judge on this until the case goes to civil court from my understanding the family is going to persue this matter that way.
I also know of the facebook page and the twitter account the facebook one is ment to be used raise awareness but to a lot of people it is just a sounding board for her mother to rant and rage on and anyone questions anything is abused and the blocked from comenting back.
The twitter one is also her mothers account and was I asume trying to raise awareness of this but all it is actually full of is her tweeting and abuseing the local MP.
Jords
03-01-2013, 03:45 PM
:(
She was not registered at that doctors surgery hence being told to wait!
Her lips turned blue after 20mins it has been stated by the father in countless articals and then he had to wait another 50mins
Now I am sorry me the first sign of blue lips I would of called an ambulance or at the very least screamed blue murder ANY doctor would of come running same as the nurse BUT instead he chose to sit and wait.
The closest A&E was only 13 mins away from that surgery as well.
Also please remember the police have closed there case the inquest is adjourned and the coroner has said the PM was inconclusive.
The surgery have not given any interviews on this matter they I would think would of been legally advised and an NHS representative has been appointed to deal with it.
There was also no witnesses to coroborate the fathers claims he went up to the reception desk 4 or 5 times to yet the surgery was full for the early morning clinic.
Perhaps it is better not to judge on this until the case goes to civil court from my understanding the family is going to persue this matter that way.
I also know of the facebook page and the twitter account the facebook one is ment to be used raise awareness but to a lot of people it is just a sounding board for her mother to rant and rage on and anyone questions anything is abused and the blocked from comenting back.
The twitter one is also her mothers account and was I asume trying to raise awareness of this but all it is actually full of is her tweeting and abuseing the local MP.
..thanks for providing that information...
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