A TWO-year-old British girl has died from a burst appendix after doctors allegedly failed to spot her symptoms before a flight home.
Isla Sutcliffe, from Jersey, had suddenly fallen ill on the last few days of a holiday in Turkey with her parents Laura Carolan, Ryan Sutcliffe and her sister Karis.
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She was treated by a doctor in their hotel, who quickly dismissed the illness as tonsillitis – despite the fact that Isla’s pain was coming from her stomach not her throat.
Isla’s condition worsened over the ensuing 24 hours, and on the day they were supposed to fly home her parents took her to hospital.
Here, they were met by the same doctor who had initially seen her in the hotel.
The doctor allegedly repeated his diagnosis, prescribed Nurofen, and told the couple Isla was fit to travel home that night.
Once the family arrived at the airport, Isla’s health deteriorated even further and she had to be rushed back to hospital in an ambulance.
Taylor Kearns, a family friend, said: “The experience this family faced whilst Isla was ill is absolutely appalling,
“Isla deteriorated drastically resulting in an ambulance having to take her to hospital from the airport, to be told that it was appendicitis and sepsis.
“The appendix then ruptured resulting in the unimaginable. The [family] will all be returning back to Jersey shortly.
She added: “Isla brought so much joy and laughter into the lives of those who knew her.
“Her radiant smile and infectious spirit will forever be etched in our hearts.”
After Isla passed away, Taylor set up a GoFundMe page to support the family.
Taylor said: “While we cannot ease the emotional burden, we can help alleviate some of the financial stress that comes with such an unexpected loss.
“Tragedies like this are unimaginable, and no family should ever have to endure such pain, let alone in a foreign country away from all family & friends, knowing she could have been saved if it weren’t for the poor medical care provided and misdiagnosis.
“The purpose of this GoFundMe campaign is to raise funds to assist Laura, Ryan and their family with the travel, funeral & ongoing expenses they are facing during this incredibly difficult time.
“The last thing we want is for them to worry about financial matters while grieving.
“Your generous contribution will make a meaningful difference. Every donation, no matter the size, will go a long way in helping them honor Isla’s memory and give her a dignified farewell.
“Your support will help the family focus on healing and finding strength in one another. “
The campaign has now surpassed its initial goal of £20,000 and has reached an impressive £35,000.
A FCDO spokesperson stated: “We are assisting the family of a British child who has died in Turkey.
According to the NHS, the most common symptom of appendicitis is pain in the middle of your stomach.
Pressing on this area, coughing or walking may make the pain worse.
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You may lose your appetite, feel sick and have constipation or diarrhoea.
If appendicitis is left untreated, the appendix could burst and cause life-threatening infections – like sepsis.
CALL 999 OR GO TO A&E IF:
A baby or young child has any of these symptoms of sepsis:
- blotchy skin, lips or tongue – which may be easier to see on the palms of hands or soles of the feet
- difficult breathing, breathlessness, or breathing very fast
- being sleepier than normal or difficult to wake
- a weak, high-pitched cry that’s not like their normal cry
- a rash that does not fade when you roll a glass over it
- not responding like they normally do, or not interested in normal activities