Young girl died as blood ‘oozed from her eyes’ after being advised she did not have lethal illness

Sophie Ward, 20, died just 24 hours after she was told she didn’t have meningitis after being rushed to hospital with classic symptoms, including a high temperature and shivering

A young woman died a day after being told she did not have meningtis, an inquest heard.

Sophie Ward, 20, was rushed to Barnet hospital in a terrifying ordeal after blood “oozed from her eyes”.

She first went to hospital after she told her mum she had a high temperature and was shivering. Despite expressing concerns about potential meningitis symptoms at the chaotic A&E, she was only seen two hours later, instead of the recommended 15 minutes.

After a clear CT scan, Sophie was sent home but returned the next morning with a soaring temperature of 39.4C and severe sickness.

At two in the morning, Sophie was “violently sick all over the carpet” so her mother, Alice, called 999 and Sophie was rushed back to the hospital while “blood seemed to ooze from her eyes.” She tragically passed away around 12 hours later on July 31, 2023.

During the proceedings, Alice said: “Sophie was a young woman, almost 21-years-old…she was dearly loved and gave and received so much joy to her family who knew her so well.

“She was admired by all for her tenderness, her sincerity, her kindness, and her beauty. As a young woman at age of 16 she became adventurous and outgoing, with a wide circle of friends whose company she cherished.

“[She] worked for a year as an au pair in Paris, responsible for three young children, took responsibilities in her stride. She came home from Paris and when she spoke French, sounded like a native. She looked like a Parisian, glamorous and chic. Twenty was the happiest year of Sophie’s life.”, reports the Mirror.

“Her death was preventable and tragic, pain and sorrow that cannot be softened. She was loved and no good comes from her death, but change must come about in hospital diagnoses and protocols.”

The nurse who triaged Sophie on July 30 was called to give evidence at the hearing. Despite it retrospectively emerging Sophie should have been triaged in 15 minutes, not two hours, the nurse stood by their then-decision, but became confused on details about doctors.

The confusion led coroner P A Murphy to deem the nurse’s answer “clear as mud”.

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