Asthma girl, 5, died after GP turned her away
A FIVE-YEAR-OLD girl died hours after being refused an emergency GP appointment because she was minutes late, it emerged yesterday.
Ellie-May Clark’s heartbroken family said they have been “left with nothing but pain” since the decision not to see her by Dr Joanne Rowe.
Her mother Shanice Clark, 25, insisted they arrived at Grange Clinic, Newport, just four minutes late but were told to come back the next day.
The “bright and happy” schoolgirl died from a severe asthma attack hours later.
The General Medical Council issued Dr Rowe with a warning after Ellie-May’s death and she has since moved to another practice in Cardiff.
A report by Aneurin Bevan University Health Board claimed the family arrived at the surgery eight minutes late. But it found the “root cause” of her death was that the GP “refused to see EM because she was brought in late”.
It added Dr Rowe “did not make any clinical assessment of EM before refusing to see her”, despite warnings about her asthma from a paediatrician. Ellie-May had a history of severe asthma attacks.
Her grandmother Brandi said yesterday: “We’ve never even had an apology from Dr Rowe, who got away with a slap on the wrist after her clock-watching attitude killed our beautiful girl.
“She’s been allowed to get on with her life and get another job. But we have been left with nothing but pain.”
Ellie-May was sent home from school early on January 26, 2015 because teachers were concerned her asthma was “deteriorating”.
Seizure
Ms Clark made an emergency appointment for 5pm. She claims her mobile phone showed 17:04 when she arrived but had to queue at reception.
The health board’s report claims the GP told the receptionist “something like ‘No I’m not seeing her, she’s late’.”
Ms Clark took her home. At 10.35pm she dialled 999 when her daughter suffered a seizure and stopped breathing. She died later in hospital.
Charlie Massey, GMC chief executive, said: “We extend our deepest sympathy to the family. This doctor has a warning against her medical register entry detailing the shortcomings in the care she provided.”