LANCASHIRE Ambulance Service has launched a major investigation into a claim that paramedics refused to take a 20-year-old woman with meningitis to hospital.

Widow Pearl Yates, of Exchange Street, Accrington, dialled 999 after discovering her daughter Diane unconscious, but says she was horrified when paramedics left her in her bed.

She said less than two hours later, Diane, of Oban Drive, Blackburn, was admitted to the intensive care unit at Blackburn Royal Infirmary, where it was discovered she had the killer bug.

Mrs Yates also claims that staff at the GP Unit at Queen's Park Hospital and Peel House Medical Centre, Accrington, failed to recognise the symptoms.

She said: "The paramedics came into the bedroom and I was astonished at their attitude. I told them about Diane's symptoms and she was moving around on the bed, flailing her arms and moaning.

"The paramedics were adamant she was not unconscious. They said she was just being awkward and if she didn't give permission they could not take her to hospital. It was obvious to me Diane was too ill to respond."

After the paramedics had left the flat, Mrs Yates telephoned a GP for advice and after ten minutes spoke to a doctor who told her to ring for another ambulance. Mrs Yates added: "The second ambulance said they would take her as long as she didn't say 'No'. "As soon as we arrived at the hospital Diane was given antibiotics and taken to intensive care where she was put on a ventilator.

"I am really angry and annoyed about the treatment Diane received.

"She had started to feel ill the day before and saw two doctors who both failed to spot meningitis.

"One diagnosed an infection and the other said Diane was suffering from bronchitis.

"We thought it might have been meningitis because she had all the symptoms.

"I'm annoyed because there has been a campaign to let people know what they are and two doctors and two paramedics failed to spot it.

"If my daughter had not been treated in time she could have died."

Director of Accident and Emergency Services at Lancashire Ambulance Service Bernard Glenholme confirmed they were investigating the complaint.

"It is a complex issue and we cannot comment because of patient confidentiality, but we are investigating thoroughly. We are in the later stages of the inquiry and will be writing to Mrs Yates with an explanation."

The GP Unit at Queen's Park Hospital and Peel House Medical Centre said they were unaware of any complaints.

Diane has now made a full recovery.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.