Toddler dies in her sleep hours after taking Calpol

2022-12-26

Toddler dies in her sleep hours after casualty staff advised parents to take her home and give her Calpol

22-month-old Hailey Thompson, 22 months, was diagnosed with a virus
Staff at Wigan Infirmary sent her home on December 18 with her parents
She was found the next day unresponsive in her bedroom and tragically died

A toddler died just hours after being sent home from A&E, where her parents were told simply to give her Calpol.

Hailey Thompson, 22 months, was diagnosed with a virus at Wigan Infirmary on December 18.

It was one of the hospital’s busiest Sundays and a ‘critical incident’ was later declared by the department.

The hospital sent Hailey home with her parents Kris Thompson, 32, and Iboyla Adam, 35, and told them to give her fluids and paracetamol in the form of Calpol.

Hailey Thompson, 22 months, was diagnosed with a virus at Wigan Infirmary on December 18

The hospital sent Hailey home with her parents Kris Thompson, 32, and Iboyla Adam, 35, and told them to give her fluids and paracetamol in the form of Calpol. Also pictured: Charlotte Thompson

Early the next day they found Hailey unresponsive in her bedroom. Mr Thompson performed CPR before a paramedic took over and Hailey was taken back to Wigan Infirmary.

However, the toddler tragically died. Her parents have now complained that Hailey’s case was not taken seriously enough by doctors.

Mr Thompson said: ‘We can’t believe we have lost our little girl. It all happened so quickly. Something in her body took control of her.’

He added: ‘We want answers. How can a healthy baby die in her sleep?

‘And why wasn’t she tested for Strep A, scarlet fever or Covid for instance?’ Hailey first had an appointment with a doctor on December 7 when she developed a cough and runny nose, and they prescribed antibiotics which were stopped after she experienced an allergic reaction.

After another appointment a week later, Mr Thompson and Ms Adam were told that Hailey needed Calpol instead of antibiotics because it was a viral infection.

Hailey was found unresponsive in her bedroom. Mr Thompson performed CPR before a paramedic took over and Hailey was taken back to Wigan Infirmary

However the next day, December 18, Mr Thompson found his daughter panting in bed and rang for an ambulance, but was told there would be a two-hour wait so opted to take her straight to A&E.

But Wigan Infirmary was experiencing one of its busiest ever days and it resulted in the department later declaring a critical incident.

A doctor tested Hailey’s blood pressure but was unable to check her tonsils, so they told the family to go home, keep her hydrated and keep giving her Calpol, and if she hadn’t improved in three days, to bring her back to A&E.

But less than 24 hours later, she was found unresponsive in her bed.

Police have passed the details on to the coroner, however a post-mortem examination cannot be carried out until December 28, leaving the couple facing a devastating wait for answers about Hailey’s death.

A spokesman for Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust said: ‘Our sincere condolences go out to Hailey’s family at this tragic time. We are aware of the family’s concerns and are awaiting further information to understand more.’

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