Questions to ask your doctor

The parents of a 14-month-old Northland girl who died of meningococcal disease last year have taken action that they hope will help save lives in the future.

The Northland DHB and Te Tai Tokerau PHO have worked with the family (who do not wish to be identified) to develop a wallet-sized easy reference card with the types of questions patients and families can ask their doctors so they understand the signs they should be looking for.

Toddler Sydnee became unwell in October and was taken to an after-hours GP. She died in the early hours of the following day.

Te Tai Tokerau PHO clinical director Dr Kyle Eggleton said the whanau believed that the GP should have provided better information on what to look out for with a vomiting child.

"The family noted that there needs to be a conversation with the doctor about the signs and symptoms of meningococcal disease," he said.

"This resource provides the tools people need to have clear conversations with their doctor to better understand what they need to look out for and what the illness might be."

The family of the blonde little girl with bright blue eyes wanted the resource to be released in her honour, to prevent similar deaths.

The DHB and PHO have now produced "Questions You Should Ask Your Doctor" for distribution to all GP clinics in Northland, providing the names and contact details of GP clinics and a number of questions under the headings of diagnosis, treatment, observation, complication and action, in simple terms rather than medical jargon.

It also explains what to do in the event of life-threatening conditions, minor and every day illnesses, and after-hours.

Former Northland Medical Officer of Health Dr Jonathan Jarman has described meningococcal disease as very unpredictable.

"Initially it can present like the flu or a tummy bug, but the difference is meningococcal disease can get worse very quickly.

"Some people do not even get sick when they catch the bug, however, a small number rapidly develop invasive meningococcal disease," he said.

Dr Jarman emphasised the importance of seeking medical advice when a child became unwell, describing Sydnee's case as one of the saddest he had seen.

"This case was an example of how quickly meningococcal disease can progress," he said.

The Northland DHB delivered an extensive free vaccination programme to all Northlanders aged 12 months to under 20 years in late 2011, following a community outbreak of meningococcal C, resulting in approximately 33,000 vaccinations.

A small amount of the vaccine was left over, and is still available free of charge at participating Northland GPs for those aged between 1 and 20 years who missed out.

For more information about meningococcal disease consult your GP or go to http://www.health.govt.nz/yourhealth-topics/diseases-and-illnesses/meningococcal-disease; for free advice after hours phone Healthline on 0800 611-116.