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‘NHS doctors ignored my daughter’s chest infection – we had to get proper treatment in Spain’ 

‘NHS doctors ignored my six-year-old daughter’s chest infection – we had to get proper treatment in Spain’

  • Abbie Curtis, from Fareham, claims doctors ignored her daughter’s symptoms 

A furious mother has claimed NHS doctors ignored her daughter’s chest infection – with her only being diagnosed and treated when the family visited a doctor in Spain.

Abbie Curtis’s six-year-old daughter Harper developed a high temperature and other cold symptoms on February 3, which had become a ‘horrid’ 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 her daughter suffering numerous chest infections over the years.

Two months later, in April, Ms Curtis took her daughter to visit a doctor while the family were on holiday in Spain – where she was immediately diagnosed with a lower respiratory chest infection.

‘I’m angry and confused, I don’t understand why the doctors in Britain didn’t take this seriously,’ the 42-year-old mother-of-two said.

Abbie Curtis's six-year-old daughter Harper (pictured together) developed a high temperature and other cold symptoms on February 3, which had become a 'horrid' cough 10 days later

Abbie Curtis’s six-year-old daughter Harper (pictured together) developed a high temperature and other cold symptoms on February 3, which had become a ‘horrid’ 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 her daughter suffering numerous chest infections over the years. Pictured is Harper while unwell.

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 her daughter suffering numerous chest infections over the years. Pictured is Harper while unwell.

‘I have very little faith in their ability to treat my children due to the way they dismissed my concerns. I told them that I believed it was a chest infection based on her history and knowing the symptoms.’

But Ms Curtis claims that each time she tried to get her daughter seen they were offered to go on the triage list.

Doctors then suggested, over a phone call, that Harper had asthma and said tests would be required but ‘none were offered although I chased on the phone and in person at the surgery’.

At the beginning of March, Ms Curtis claims to have contacted the GP clinic and was allegedly told there was no record of her ever having spoken to anyone.

Following a lengthy conversation, the practice was reportedly able to locate the records, however, she claims they sent her away again, saying they would be in touch.

On March 27, Ms Curtis says she still hadn’t heard from the clinic, so returned to follow up.

She said: ‘My daughter was examined by the doctor and I was told nothing was wrong with her.

‘I’m perplexed because, at the time, she was coughing up green phlegm, yet as a mum I’m told it’s normal.

‘They wanted to investigate if it was asthma, so gave her medication used to prevent asthma symptoms and then sent us away again.’

On April 1, the family flew to Spain on holiday, with Ms Curtis hoping the ‘warm weather would help Harper’s symptoms’.

But her symptoms persisted, causing the mother to drive to a paediatric hospital in San Antonio – where the little girl was examined within 20 minutes.

Two months later, in April, Ms Curtis took her daughter to visit a doctor while the family were on holiday in Spain (pictured) - where she was immediately diagnosed with a lower respiratory chest infection

Two months later, in April, Ms Curtis took her daughter to visit a doctor while the family were on holiday in Spain (pictured) – where she was immediately diagnosed with a lower respiratory chest infection

On April 1, the family flew to Spain on holiday, with Ms Curtis hoping the 'warm weather would help Harper's symptoms'. Pictured are Ms Curtis with her daughter Harper and son Max.

On April 1, the family flew to Spain on holiday, with Ms Curtis hoping the ‘warm weather would help Harper’s symptoms’. Pictured are Ms Curtis with her daughter Harper and son Max.

She said: ‘The doctor told me my daughter needed medical attention and antibiotics immediately because she had a lower respiratory chest infection.

‘Harper was started on a course of medicine and within two to three days she was feeling better and sleeping fine.’

Following her experience, Ms Curtis now vows to only use private healthcare, saying she has ‘lost all faith’ in the NHS GP service.

She added: ‘I think that we’re a fortunate family and we do have the finances for private medical care but there are lots of families out there that don’t have that kind of money.’

MailOnline has approached the Meon Health Practice for comment.

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