"Thank you with all of my heart."

My little girl  got chicken pox a few days before her third birthday. She became very unwell over the course of a few days and despite visiting various GPs on a daily basis the infection and then sepsis she went on to develop was unfortunately undiagnosed.

When I called 999 she was at times incoherent, not urinating, and had a red rash rising up her stomach. The paramedic was unconcerned but agreed to take her into Luton and Dunstable ED. And it was there that our luck changed.

We were met by a professional, highly competent team of medical professionals including nurses, consultants and anaesthetists who identified the sepsis immediately.

Their prompt identification and treatment of sepsis is what saved her life. Unfortunately my daughter was in septic shock when she arrived at hospital so she required sedation, intubation and transfer to a paediatric intensive care in a different hospital.

She spent 5 days on ICU and a further 2 on the ward before returning home. She was incredibly unwell and it was clear that we could have easily lost her. Luton and Dunstable gave her the best chance of survival - they geared her up for the fight she had ahead of her. And my strong girl made it through. We still have my daughter in our lives because of the staff at Luton and Dunstable ED. Thank you with all of my heart.