‘Funny & happy’ little girl ‘died in her sleep hours after...

‘Funny & happy’ little girl ‘died in her sleep hours after being sent home from hospital with Calpol’

Published on April 01, 2025 at 10:28 AM

A TODDLER died in her sleep just hours after being sent home from a hospital with Calpol, an inquest heard.

Hailey Thompson was taken to Royal Albert Edward Infirmary in Wigan on December 18 2022 where doctors advised her parents to give her paracetamol and fluids.

Toddler holding a soccer ball, seen through a glass door. — Hailey Thompson was first taken to a doctor's appointment on December 7 with a cough and running nose

Family photo of a mother, father, and two daughters. — The heartbroken parents of the 22-month-old toddler later found her dead

Toddler holding a yellow sign in a hospital waiting area. — She was found by her dad and tragically died

Kris Thompson and Iboyla Adam took their daughter home but were horrified to find the 22-month-old tot unresponsive in her room early the next morning.

Her dad tried desperately to revive her by giving her CPR and she was rushed to Wigan Infirmary but the toddler tragically died.

Hailey's tragic death is now being linked to the bacterial infection Group A streptococcus, an inquest jury at Bolton Coroner's Court heard.

Kris and Iboyla described her as a “very funny and very happy” little girl who loved muddy puddles and dressing up.

The jury was told the family, from Ashton-in-Makerfield in Wigan, have serious concerns over her examination by an A&E doctor the day before her tragic death.

Coroner Michael Pemberton told jurors the family would “likely be asking questions about the care and treatment she received”.

The court heard that just weeks before her tragic death, Hailey fell ill on December 7, developing a cold and cough.

Her worried parents took her to the doctor, where she was given antibiotics for a suspected throat infection.

But by December 9, when her mum picked her up from nursery, she noticed a worrying red rash on Hailey’s face and neck. They contacted the out-of-hours GP service, only to be told no appointments were available until December 13.

Given her elder sister Charlotte’s penicillin allergy, it was decided to stop Hailey’s antibiotics in case she had a similar reaction.

But on the day of her appointment, Hailey had a high temperature and a runny nose at nursery, so her mum collected her early.

The jury was told that the GP diagnosed a viral infection and advised the family to go home with Calpol and Ibuprofen.

By December 17, Hailey seemed to improve, eating normally and looking better.

But later that night, around 11.30pm, her dad Kris checked on her and found she was “panting for breath”.

The family called 999 and 111, but were told there was a two-hour wait for advice.

Desperate for help, they made their way to the Royal Albert Edward A&E at 1am, where they waited for four hours to be seen. An hour later, a doctor finally examined her.

The jury heard that her chest was clear, but the doctor struggled to check her throat and tonsils, even needing a stick to help open her mouth.

In a statement, Ibolya said the doctor didn’t use a torch to examine her throat properly, and had to return to get a stick to place on her tongue.

Kris told the court that when Hailey bit down on the stick, the doctor seemed to get more agitated.

He added that when Hailey finally opened her mouth, the doctor’s spotlight wasn’t in the right place.

The jury was told that when the doctor forced the stick into Hailey’s mouth, she gagged and vomited.

What is Strep A?

Group A streptococcal (GAS) infection is caused by strains of the streptococcus pyogenes bacterium

Group A streptococcal (GAS) infection is caused by strains of the streptococcus pyogenes bacterium.

The bacteria can live on hands or the throat for long enough to allow easy spread between people through sneezing, kissing and skin contact.

Most infections cause mild illnesses such as “strep throat” or skin infections.

It can also cause scarlet fever and in the majority of cases this clears up with antibiotics.

On rare occasions the bacteria can get deeper into the body – including infecting the lungs and bloodstream. It is known as invasive GAS (iGAS) and needs urgent treatment as this can be serious and life-threatening.

Kris described his daughter as “pale and clingy”, and said the doctor appeared to have “given up”.

No blood tests or further checks were carried out, and the family was sent home at 6am with no medication, simply told to monitor her.

That evening, December 18, Hailey appeared to sleep peacefully after being given Calpol.

Her parents checked on her before heading to bed and Kris said he last checked on Hailey at midnight, noticing her breathing was no longer laboured.

The court heard the A&E doctor on December 18 tried to check her oxygen levels, but Hailey wouldn't sit still.

Mum Ibolya said all her symptoms should have been checked and that she “assumed” Hailey's records would have been checked.

But the next morning, on December 19, any hope of recovery had turned into a nightmare

At 5.30am, Ibolya found Hailey cold in her cot with Kris dialling 999, saying “she’s dying”.

She was rushed to hospital but died just after 7.30am, the inquest heard.

In her statement, Ibolya described the moments that followed as “a blur“.

The jury heard a cause of death was given as sepsis and pneumonia, but that was later changed to include Group A streptococcus, a bacterial infection.

The inquest has been listed to be heard over five days.