Out-of-hours care 'fails to spot meningitis' - The Guardian 31st August 2007

Half of the most serious cases of childhood infections, such as meningitis, are being missed because of failures in out-of-hours care, according to a senior doctor. Parents were being told to take feverish children home by junior staff, and many felt they could not "impose" on their doctor by returning when their children's conditions worsened, while staff on the NHS Direct phone lines were not experienced enough to diagnose properly, he said.

Link to Article

Additional Stories

Out-of-hours changes ‘mean serious child illness is missed’ - The Times 31st August 2007

Meningitis children at risk from 'dial-a-doctors' - The Telegraph 31st August 2007

Fatal childhood illnesses 'missed by inexperienced' staff covering for GPs out-of-hours - Daily Mail 31st August 2007