Health Secretary Apologises to Family of Meningitis Death Girl

The health secretary Jeremy Hunt has apologised to the family of a schoolgirl who died from meningitis B, admitting she was "failed" by the NHS.

Six-year-old Layla Rose Ermenekli, from Oldham, died after medics failed to identify a rash on her hip as a symptom of meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia. Layla dies in the early hours of February 4, just eight hours after she was rushed to A&E.

Mr Hunt has now apologised to her family and the parents of two other children, admitting that the NHS "let them down."

The health secretary has also agreed to set up a working group to discuss how to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of meningitis B amongst both parents and medics.

A spokesperson for the Department of Health said:

"We are global leaders in our access to childhood vaccinations and we were the first country to introduce a national publicly funded Men B vaccination programme using Bexsero.

"There is around a 90 per cent uptake for almost all childhood vaccines and Public Health England continue to work with charities and higher education institutions to increase awareness of the Men ACWY vaccination."

If your health has suffered as a result of medical negligence from a healthcare practitioner, you may be entitled to compensation. Call our team on 0161 627 2469 to find out if you have a claim.

Mellor Hargreaves Ltd

Medical Negligence Solicitors