Coroner asks for changes at GP surgery following death of Wigan child
Hailey Thompson was nearly two when she died of sepsis and pneumonia
Last updated 23rd Apr 2025
A coroner has demanded changes to be made to a GP surgery following the death of a Wigan toddler.
Hailey Thompson was aged 22 months when she contracted Group A streptococcus, a bacterial infection.
The symptoms eventually led to development of pneumonia and sepsis, which was ultimately ruled as the cause of the toddler's death.
A four-day inquest was held earlier this month, concluding with the jury ruling that Hailey had died of natural causes. However, the coroner Michael Pemberton ruled that there had been "missed opportunities" to look at Hailey's care at the "primary care level".
Following the ruling, Pemberton - who had presided over the inquest at Bolton Coroners' Court - submitted a Prevention of Future Deaths Report calling on SSP Health, which runs the GP Hailey had been seen in, to implore them to improve their services.
The Ashton Medical Centre, where Hailey had been a patient was told there is a " risk that future deaths could occur unless action is taken".
He highlighted that issues were raised when Hailey's mother had attempted to get an appointment with the GP after an allergic reaction to antibiotics for tonsillitis days before her death.
Her mother spoke with a member of staff at the surgery, who in turn sent Hailey to a pharmacist who had been working with the practice.
The pharmacist was described as someone who was "not competent to deal with a paediatric medication enquiry", and following the inquest was not provided with feedback on needing to use medical records as they had not directly worked with the surgery.
Pemberton gave SSP Health 56 days to respond to the findings of the report, with the response being published on Wednesday (April 23rd).
SSP Health's Andy Scaife said: "We are deeply saddened at the death of one of our patients. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with Hailey’s family and loved ones during this difficult time.
"We have received the report from the Coroner but cannot comment, in detail, at this time as we are in the process of preparing our response. We note that the concerns raised by the Coroner relate to common practices which are in place across the vast majority of doctors surgeries in the country and are not specific to the surgery in this case.
"We also note that the Coroner specifically states that the concerns raised did not contribute to this very sad death. As is appropriate, we are currently conducting a thorough internal review to understand the exact circumstance, which will include a review of the factual accuracy of certain aspects of the report. Once completed, our response will be shared with the Coroner.