A 10-MONTH-OLD baby is “lucky to be alive” after doctors did not diagnose meningitis TWICE before his worried parents took him to hospital for a third time.

Little Jay Tranter showed the first signs of being unwell two weeks ago on Thursday, December 2.

His mum Vicky Bertham, aged 23, of Frederick Street, Farnworth, became concerned when he was not drinking p ro p e rl y and deve l o p e d diarrhoea.

His head was also arching backwards and he had a rash.

Worried Miss Bertham rushed her son to Accident and Emergency at Royal Bolton H o s p i t a l o n T h u r s d ay afternoon.

But a couple of hours later, she was told by doctors it was a viral infection and was sent home with her son.

But Jay did not improve on Friday, so on Saturday morning, Miss Bertham and her partner Michael Tranter took their son to the walk-in centre at Lever Chambers in the town centre.

Medics there sent Jay back to Royal Bolton Hospital, where the family spent the next 11 hours anxiously waiting to be told what was wrong with their son. Again, the baby was sent home. The couple then visited their own GP at Farnworth Health Centre in Frederick Street.

Jay was again sent to Royal Bolton Hospital and on his third visit, doctors tested his blood and found he had pneumococcal meningitis, which is the more serious bacterial form of the illness.

The youngster has now made a full recovery.

Miss Bertham said: “I think they should have done some blood tests immediately.

“It is only because we were so persistent and kept taking him back they realised something serious was wrong with him.

“If I’d have stayed at home then who knows what the consequences could have been.”

Jay’s father Mr Tranter, aged 23, added: “You can’t knock them for what they have done once they started treating him because he has recovered.”

Heather Edwards, head of communications at Royal Bolton, said: “We see lots of children and babies with various viral illnesses and although meningitis comparatively rare we do check children’s symptoms against the criteria set down in national guidance.

“If a child does not meet these criteria and doctors believe at that point their condition is satisfactory, they are allowed home although we always say parents can bring them straight back if their condition worsens.

“Any parent will fully understand the anxiety that is felt when a child is ill, and we’re sorry Jay’s parents were distressed by their experience.

“We’re pleased they were satisfied with the treatment Jay received and delighted to hear he has made a good recovery.