Mother died after meningitis was dismissed as a migraine

A mother-of-five died after doctors dismissed meningitis as a migraine.

Lissa Beechey, 39, from Bridgend, Wales, was sent home with paracetamol after going to hospital on September 10 2015 complaining of fatigue, crippling headaches and eyes so sensitive she was forced to wear sunglasses.

Doctors even missed the tell-tale symptom of shadows on her lungs when they showed up in an X-ray taken three months earlier.

Ten days later, Ms Beechey, who was initially urgently referred by her GP with suspected meningitis, was rushed to A&E with severely worsening symptoms but later passed away from tuberculosis meningitis.

After taking legal action, solicitors acting for Ms Beechey’s husband Simon Aberstone, 49, said the Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board have reached an undisclosed out-of-court settlement.

Tuberculosis meningitis affects just 150-to-200 people each year in the UK.

Mother-of-five Lissa Beechey died after doctors dismissed meningitis as a migraine

Ms Beechey (pictured with her husband Simon Aberstone) was sent home with paracetamol after going to hospital complaining of fatigue, crippling headaches and sensitive eyes

Ms Beechey (pictured with her husband Simon Aberstone) was sent home with paracetamol after going to hospital complaining of fatigue, crippling headaches and sensitive eyes

WHAT IS TUBERCULOSIS MENINGITIS?

Tuberculosis (TB) meningitis is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which leads to the condition in just one-to-two per cent of infected people.

It affects between 150 and 200 people every year in the UK and US.

Between 15 and 30 per cent of sufferers die despite receiving treatment. 

Of those who survive, at least 20 per cent experience long-term complications, such as brain damage.

Early symptoms include aches and pains, loss of appetite, fatigue, and a persistent headache. 

After several weeks, these develop into more specific meningitis symptoms, such as dislike of bright lights and neck stiffness.

TB meningitis is caused by bacteria entering the body via droplet inhalation, for instance from an infected person coughing or sneezing.

If the bacteria travel to the meninges, which are the protective layers over the brain, it can cause TB meningitis; even years after the initial infection.

Treatment varies according to the patient but takes place in hospital.

A BCG vaccine against TB is offered to at-risk people in the UK. 

Source: Meningitis Now 

‘There were chances to save Lissa’s life’

Mr Aberstone, who met Ms Beechey during a whirlwind holiday romance, said: ‘Lissa used to bring everyone together and it was one of the things I loved most about her.

‘She had time for everyone, especially when they needed her help. We used to call her the Mother Teresa of Bridgend.

‘Even I didn’t realise how many people’s lives she touched until her funeral. It was incredible, there wasn’t even standing room.’

Mr Aberstone, who is trying to stay strong for him and his wife’s three children, aged eight and 12-year-old twins, added: ‘I’m still so angry that this was allowed to happen.

‘You don’t rule out TB until you’ve tested for it and if just one doctor had followed the correct procedures and given her the right medication then Lissa would still be here.’

The family’s lawyer, Kelly Lloyd-Davies, from Slater and Gordon, said: ‘The heart-breaking reality is there were chances to save Lissa’s life, but procedures weren’t followed and as a result these were missed.

‘While nothing can bring her back, lessons must be learned to prevent mistakes like this from happening again before any more lives are needlessly lost.’

Ten days later, Ms Beechey, who was initially urgently referred by her GP with suspected meningitis, was rushed to A&E with severely worsening symptoms but later passed away

Ten days later, Ms Beechey, who was initially urgently referred by her GP with suspected meningitis, was rushed to A&E with severely worsening symptoms but later passed away

‘We can assure Mr Aberstone we took immediate action’

Ms Beechey, who had two children from a previous relationship, was initially seen at the Princess of Wales’ medical assessment before being rushed to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, where she later died.

A spokesman for the Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board said: ‘We would once more offer our sincere condolences to Ms Beachey’s family for their sad loss and apologise for the shortcomings in her care.

‘We can assure Mr Aberstone we took immediate action, such as increased staffing, additional training and awareness-raising.

‘Additionally, a system was put in place to ensure all investigations are followed up promptly.

‘Although these measures have led to improvements, we are continuing to closely monitor the situation and will take any additional action required to ensure the improvements are maintained.’ 



Read more at DailyMail.co.uk