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Five-year-old left in agony after being prescribed wrong treatment

The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) said there were ‘multiple failures’ in the care of the girl
The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) said there were ‘multiple failures’ in the care of the girl (Lynne Cameron/PA))
  • A five-year-old girl experienced pain and bleeding after a physician associate (PA) wrongly prescribed her a vaginal pessary for suspected thrush.
  • The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) identified multiple failures in her care, which led to her mother being questioned about possible sexual abuse.
  • The PA prescribed the medication without a doctor’s supervision, despite not having prescribing rights, and the pharmacy failed to query the unsuitable prescription for a child.
  • The girl’s symptoms were later correctly diagnosed as vulvovaginitis, and the pessary was deemed inappropriate for her age.
  • The incident has prompted the GP practice and pharmacy to implement changes, and the Royal College of GPs advises that PAs should not see children under 16.
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