Recurring concern
Failure to recognise and respond promptly to suspected meningitis
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Request correctionFirst reported 14 Jan 2014•Latest report 3 Jul 2019
What this concern includes
Includes failures in the recognition, assessment, escalation, admission, treatment response, discharge safety-netting or communication processes specifically tied to suspected or possible meningitis.
Not included
- Generic failures to admit, assess or communicate that are not specifically tied to suspected meningitis.
- Failures concerning other infections, diagnoses or clinical hazards.
- Generic staffing, training, documentation or capacity deficiencies unless the source explicitly ties them to the recognition or management of suspected meningitis.
- Reports
- 5
- Individual concerns
- 6
- Date range
- 2014–2019
- Stated actions
- 4
Distinct published reports
A report can raise multiple concerns
First to latest report issue date
Described in published responses
Reports over time
Reports over time
Reports about this concern issued each year.
* 2026 is projected from reports observed to 7 Sep 2026.
Most frequent recipients
Most frequent recipients
Reports about this concern sent to each recipient.
Concerns and responses across reports
Only concerns grouped under this recurring concern are included. Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.
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Concerns raised1
Failure of the free text box to generate automatic red flags from identified symptoms
This report raised 1 other concern. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.3
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Position
NHS Digital is responsible for delivering NHS Pathways and its Directory of Service clinical decision tool.
Stated by NHS England
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Position
NHS Digital’s separate response is considered to cover and answer all specific NHS Pathways recommendations.
Stated by NHS England -
Position
Free-text analysis cannot safely be introduced because sufficient expertise and evidence do not currently exist; developing technology remains under review.
Stated by NHS England
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Concerns raised1
Failure to provide safety-netting advice addressing meningitis when it is part of the differential diagnosis
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.1
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Action
Implement a safety-netting process and leaflet for families of children presenting with sinusitis, including information about rare complications such as meningitis.
Stated by Bristol NHS Foundation Trust
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Concerns raised2
Failure to immediately admit children when meningitis is a realistic possibility
Failure to immediately refer children with infected umbilical cords to hospital at first OOH attendance
This report raised 2 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.3
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Action
Implement NICE feverish-illness guidance in the out-of-hours service using PEWS and assessment templates.
Stated by North Cheshire and Mersey NHS Foundation Trust -
Action
Conduct quarterly clinical audits of practitioners’ records and provide supervision and competency action plans where practice falls short.
Stated by North Cheshire and Mersey NHS Foundation Trust -
Action
Provide training on managing severely ill children for out-of-hours GPs alongside mandatory and statutory training.
Stated by North Cheshire and Mersey NHS Foundation Trust
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Concerns raised1
Failure to retain meningitis as a differential diagnosis
This report raised 11 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statementsNo respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
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Concerns raised1
Delays in initiating treatment when tuberculous meningitis is suspected
This report raised 3 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statementsNo respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
Data last updated 7 September 2026