Neglect contributed to the death of a baby girl from meningitis after doctors stuck with a Covid diagnosis, inquest jury finds

Esta High was taken to Leeds General Infirmary on October 31 2023 with vomiting and a temperature above 40C, testing positive for Covid on arrival. Her parents, Lynsey Carr and Leon High, refused medical advice to discharge her after she broke out in a rash and her arm began to shake. The five-month-old died days later of streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis. The Wakefield jury found that proper care would in all likelihood have saved her life or extended it.

Lawyers for Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust admitted chances to give antibiotics were missed.

Ms Carr told the jury: 'staff were rude and don't listen to our concerns'.

The family say staff were focused on isolating Esta for Covid rather than on treating her.