A teenager who died from meningitis was 'failed' by an ambulance service, an inquest has heard.

Zara Cheesman should have been rushed to hospita l by ambulance workers before she passed away on December 23 last year, according to Nottingham Coroner's Court. The 15-year-old had visited A&E on December 20 with symptoms of vomiting and neck and shoulder pain, but was sent home with a suspected case of norovirus.

The next day, two ambulance technicians, who are non-registered clinicians unlike paramedics, attended Zara's home where she displayed "red flags" for meningitis such as confusion and a severe headache.

The inquest heard that it was policy for technicians to seek advice from a senior clinical lead if they decide not to take someone under 18 years old to hospital, but this proto

See Full Page