Hayley, from Manchester, fell ill with severe head pain, falling in and out of consciousness, vomiting and light sensitivity. Parents Angela and Adrian immediately left their home in Hemel Hempstead in Hertfordshire to be with her daughter, but their story had the worst possible outcome, as Angela tells us here.
“I received a call from my son-in-law telling me Hayley, my daughter, was taken ill during the night.
“Her multiple symptoms appeared rapidly and were so severe. Hayley was aware she needed hospital treatment.
“My son-in-law phoned 999. Despite listing her ‘red flag’ symptoms, he was advised that she was a category 4 call and an ambulance would not be available for eight hours. He was advised in the meantime to keep her warm.
Carried her into A&E
“He struggled to get Hayley to the hospital in this condition and eventually accessed medical attention after carrying her into A&E himself.
“Hayley lived in Manchester, almost 200 miles away from my home. We of course left immediately we received the phone call.
“At the hospital Hayley was in ICU and had been placed on life support. Three days later Hayley died of bacterial meningitis. She was just 34.
“She was otherwise fit and healthy and had been in work the day before she went into hospital.
Left behind son aged 6
“She left behind George, her son aged 6.
“No parent should ever be at their child’s funeral. Meningitis had the worst possible outcome and has devastated our family.”