An irate mother has claimed that NHS doctors ignored her daughter’s chest infection – and that she was not diagnosed and treated until the family visited a doctor in Spain.
Abbie Curtis’ six-year-old daughter, Harper, developed a fever and other cold symptoms on Feb. 3, which had turned into a “horrible” cough 10 days later.
Ms Curtis, who works as a female body transformation mentor, visited her local GP, Meon Health Practice, in Fareham, but claims her concerns were ignored on multiple occasions. This is despite the fact that her daughter has contracted numerous respiratory infections over the years.
Two months later in April, Ms Curtis took her daughter to see a doctor while the family was on holiday in Spain – where she was immediately diagnosed with a lower respiratory tract infection.
“I’m angry and confused, I don’t understand why the doctors in Britain didn’t take this seriously,” said the 42-year-old mother of two.
Abbie Curtis’ six-year-old daughter Harper (pictured together) developed a fever and other cold symptoms on Feb. 3, which had turned into a “horrible” cough 10 days later
Ms Curtis, who works as a female body transformation mentor, visited her local GP, Meon Health Practice, in Fareham, but claims her concerns were ignored on multiple occasions. This is despite the fact that her daughter has contracted numerous respiratory infections over the years. Pictured is Harper while unwell.
“I have very little confidence in their ability to treat my children because of the way they brushed off my concerns. I told them I believed it was a respiratory infection based on her history and knowledge of the symptoms.’
But Ms. Curtis claims that every time she tried to show her daughter, she was offered to get on the triage list.
Doctors then suggested via phone call that Harper had asthma and said tests would be needed, but “none were offered, although I was pursued on the phone and in person at the surgery.”
In early March, Ms Curtis claims to have contacted the GP’s office and was allegedly told there are no records of her ever speaking to anyone.
After a lengthy discussion, the practice was reportedly able to locate the data, but claims they sent her away again saying they would be in touch.
On March 27, Ms. Curtis said she still hadn’t heard from the clinic, so she returned for a follow-up.
She said: ‘My daughter was examined by the doctor and I was told there was nothing wrong with her.
“I’m perplexed because she was coughing up green mucus at the time, but as a mother I’ve been told it’s normal.
“They wanted to see if it was asthma, so they gave her medication to prevent asthma symptoms and then sent us away again.”
On April 1, the family flew to Spain for holiday, with Ms Curtis hoping the ‘warm weather would help Harper’s symptoms’.
But her symptoms persisted, prompting the mother to drive to a children’s hospital in San Antonio — where the little girl was examined within 20 minutes.
Two months later in April, Ms Curtis took her daughter to see a doctor while the family were on holiday in Spain (pictured) – where she was immediately diagnosed with a lower respiratory tract infection
On April 1, the family flew to Spain for holiday, with Ms Curtis hoping the ‘warm weather would help Harper’s symptoms’. The photo shows Mrs. Curtis with her daughter Harper and son Max.
She said: ‘The doctor told me that my daughter needed immediate medical attention and antibiotics because she had a lower respiratory tract infection.
“Harper was put on a course of medication and within two to three days she was feeling better and sleeping fine.”
Following her experience, Ms Curtis now vows to use only private healthcare, saying she has lost ‘all faith’ in the NHS GP service.
She added: “I think we are a happy family and we have the finances for private medical care, but there are a lot of families who don’t have that kind of money.”
MailOnline has approached the Meon Health Practice for comment.