My daughter was hit by deadly Strep A but the hospital ran out of life-saving medicine to treat her – I was terrified
A MUM has revealed a hospital ran out of life-saving medicine to treat her sick daughter who was hit by Strep A.
NHS staff told Victoria Hoult they did not have a basic antibiotic prescribed for nine-year-old Ella.
The revelation comes as nine children have died from the invasive form of the disease.
Victoria, 38, said she received the bombshell news after spending eight hours with Ella at Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield, West Yorks.
Staff said they had run out of Phenoxymethlpenicillin and to either return the next day for it or try another hospital.
The mum of three said: “Ella was incredibly sick and doctors said it was vital she take some antibiotics as soon as possible.
“But after hospital sent us away with nothing. I was shocked, it was really scary.”
Ella had been sick for a week. Her GP said she most likely had a seasonal virus.
But when a rash spread across her chest, face and tongue and her condition worsened, Victoria called 111 on Sunday morning and was advised to go straight to A&E.
She said “After a seven-hour wait a doctor checked her throat and rash. They said she’s got Strep A, and prescribed antibiotics. They said her oxygen levels were low.”
After a further hour’s wait in reception, they were told the medicine was not available.
Victoria, an office administrator, said: “I was worried for my daughter’s health. We went home and I put her in bed with me and watched her closely.”
They collected the antibiotic the next day at Pinderfields.
Ella had a reaction to it but is recovering at home in Kettlethorpe, Wakefield, after being switched to an alternative.
The Sun revealed on Monday that Britain how pharmacy chiefs fear Britain is facing a shortage of antibiotics — including amoxicillin, a key drug to fight Strep A in kids.
Supply chain issues, rising costs and a shortage of raw ingredients have been blamed.
No 10 has insisted there is no issue.