Chloe Rideout, Coverack inquest into sepsis death in Cornwall

Chloe Rideout, aged 20, from Coverack died on October 20, 2018 after contracting the killer disease sepsis following an appendectomy at Derriford hospital in Plymouth.

Chloe, a trained hairdresser, worked as a receptionist at the spa at St Michael's Hotel in Falmouth and at the Bay Hotel near Coverack and was planning to go travelling in Australia.

Her mother Sharon Rideout said in her statement that Chloe was a fit and well person who had run six miles just three days before falling ill and had completed the 'Tough Mudder' challenge.

Chloe Rideout with her dad Dave Rideout

She said her daughter was visiting a friend in Plymouth on October 7, 2018 when she fell ill complaining of bellyache and as the day went on the pain became worse.

Her friend, Ross, became so concerned about her condition he took her to the emergency department at Derriford Hospital. Her mother said she spoke to Chloe at around 6pm but was not aware that she was in hospital.

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"I understand from Ross that Chloe's pain was so bad she was unable to sit on the chairs either lying on the floor or straddled across three chairs in the waiting room in A&E in agony," she said.

"Ross was really worried and kept going up to the desk and saying this is an emergency."

He was told unless it was chest pain it wasn't an emergency and after around five hours she was admitted to a ward.

The next day she told her mother on the phone that she didn't feel safe in the hospital because they hadn't done anything.

She said she was concerned staff were putting her condition down to a drug she may have or may not have taken.

Eventually doctors agreed it may be her appendix or an infection in her ovaries or fallopian tubes and agreed to operate.

Chloe wanted a scan before she had the operation as she worried about the operation and they agreed 'begrudgingly', according to Mrs Rideout, to a scan which showed fluid and they agreed to operate the next morning.

Chloe with her brother Charlie at a past Christmas

She was operated on on October 9 after a day in agony

The next day she was told that she may have to have another operation.

Her mother said Chloe was really itchy and had a high temperature, as well as being in a lot of pain, and was given high doses of morphine.

On October 11 the family were told bugs had been found on appendix biopsy.

Her mother said over the next couple of days her daughter's back started started hurting and the pain got worse and she was constantly retching.

On Saturday, October 13 despite Chloe telling her mother the pain was still horrendous she was sent home, arriving there at around 7pm.

"I slept with Chloe that night because she was in so much pain. She said to me in the morning she felt like she was going to die," said Mrs Rideout

The next day Chloe was taken to the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro where she went into a coma and died from organ failure on October 20.

Mrs Rideout said at no stage was sepsis mentioned when Chloe was taken to Treliske and she was concerend about the 111 service she rang when Chloe became worse at home as well as the delay in an ambulance arriving to take her to the Royal Conrwall Hospital before she died.

"Chloe was a strong fit 20 year old woman who had gone into hospital for a routine operation and died," she said.

"We as a family cannot believe that so many professionals did not spot any signs of sepsis and we feel so many people have let Chloe down.

"You worry about your children driving, going out at night and drinking alcohol, but not at any stage do you think you have to worry about your children having a routine operation in hospital.

"Chloe's death has affected so many lives. As parents we have been robbed of our daughter. It has completely wrecked the lives of me, her dad and her brother. It has affected the lives of her relatives and many friends.

"As Chloe's parents we are very concerned about the care she received from Derriford hospital the 111 out of hours GP service, the 999 service delay in attending and Treliske hospital.

"Chloe was a young lady with her life ahead of her and it has been ripped away from her. We want to make sure any failures from the health care providers are fully investigated and we want to prevent this happening to anyone else."

The inquest continues.