Many medical professionals – including GP’s, doctors and A&E staff – are increasingly failing to detect cases of meningitis, a clinical negligence solicitor has claimed.

Emma Holt, a partner and head of the clinical negligence department of a Manchester law firm, said: "Clinical mistakes are the exception but when they do happen, they have dramatic emotional and physical consequences on both the patient and their families."

Ms Holt made her comments following the death of 20-year-old Natalie Naylor, who died of meningitis after receiving poor quality treatment at Epsom and St Helier NHS Trust in Surrey.

Despite fears of meningitis being raised, Ms Naylor was not admitted to intensive care or given antibiotics for some time after arriving at hospital. The coroner subsequently said the hospital made serious failings in its care of the patient.

She advised anyone affected by clinical negligence to seek specialist legal advice and guidance.