DOCTORS in Bolton are to be issued with new guidance about meningitis following an investigation into the death of a three-year-old girl.

Morgan Leyland died from meningococcal septicaemia last November just 10 hours after an emergency doctor told her she needed to rest at home.

Her parents, Rob and Sharon Leyland, of Darcy Lever, claim she was wrongly diagnosed with a viral infection, despite having many of the symptoms for meningitis.

Following her death, they made an official complaint.

An independent review by Bolton NHS Primary Care Trust concluded that Dr Shuba Panja, the emergency doctor who saw the little girl, should have considered meningitis and that she gave confusing advice to the child's parents.

However, her misdiagnosis of a viral infection was considered to be reasonable because the symptoms were similar.

The panel advised that doctors should give clearer instructions to all parents of children with apparent viral infections on how to recognise meningitis.

Morgan's parents are now taking the matter to the Health Service Ombudsman and the General Medical Council.

Mr Leyland, of Crawford Avenue, said: "I want an apology and I want the doctor to admit she was wrong. I trusted my instinct when I thought it was meningitis."

Morgan developed a high temperature and a pinprick rash which did not disappear when touched with a glass on Wednesday, November 27.

Her parents took her to see Dr Panja at Landmark House in Chorley Old Road, Bolton, shortly after 5pm.

They say she also had cold hands and feet, a sore knee, was staring blankly, and trembling and shaking.

The doctor diagnosed a viral infection and concluded that the rash disappeared when it was touched.

At about 10.30pm, her parents noticed the rash had spread.

They took her to North Manchester Children's Hospital at Pendlebury where, despite treatment, she died three hours later.

Mr Leyland said: "During the complaints hearing, the doctor said that given the same symptoms she would probably have come to the same diagnosis. I don't feel anything has been learned from Morgan's death."

A Bolton Primary Care Trust spokesman said: "We are working with Morgan Leyland's family to support improved communications about meningitis.

"We have drawn up a leaflet to be used in situations where a family has consulted a doctor about the possibility of meningitis, but where meningitis has not been diagnosed. We are liaising with the Meningitis Foundation on the leaflet and will agree the final version with the Leyland family."

A spokesman for Dr Panja said: "The case once again highlights the importance of careful communication and continuing to monitor a child who is unwell and reporting changes at the earliest opportunity. Dr Panja was devastated by the death of Morgan and desperately sad for the terrible loss sustained by her parents."