'Zara's death was preventable and we're devastated. EMAS failed in providing a basic level of care... Our deepest wish is that lessons are learned'

CORONER: 'GROSS FAILURES' IN DECISION NOT TO TAKE HER TO QMC

- By JOEL MOORE [e-mail]

A NOTTINGHAM schoolgirl died from bacterial meningitis after ambulance workers missed a chance to take her to hospital for "life-saving" treatment, an inquest has found.

Zara Cheesman, 15, died at the Queen's Medical Centre on December 23 last year, four days after she fell ill.

Her death was contributed to by neglect by East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) technicians, who failed to provide "basic care" when they decided not to take her to hospital the day before, Nottingham Coroner's Court heard. Delivering her findings yesterday, assistant coroner Elizabeth Didcock said the Nottingham High School pupil likely would have survived had she been transported to hospital.

She also warned there was a risk of similar avoidable deaths happening again if EMAS does not make sure all its staff are aware of vital policies.

Speaking after the inquest, Zara's parents, Judith and Mark, from Mapperley Park, said they were "devastated" by the loss of their "empathic, funny and intelligent" daughter.

"This inquest has confirmed what we have long feared; Zara's death was preventable and we're devastated. EMAS failed in providing a basic level of care, dismissing our concerns and not assessing Zara appropriately," Judith said.

A spokesperson for EMAS apologised after the hearing and said it would make changes "to ensure that this does not happen again".