MY daughter owes her life to a very junior nurse at Hereford County Hospital who advised me back in 1983 to ask for a second opinion.

As there was only one paediatrician working at the hospital at that time, this meant my five-year-old daughter was referred to Birmingham Children’s Hospital, where it was discovered she had pancreatitis, not flu.

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This is extremely rare in childhood. Appropriate action undoubtedly saved her life. I don’t know her name, but I have always remembered this junior nurse with the deepest gratitude.

What are your thoughts?

You can send a letter to the editor to have your say by clicking here.

Letters should not exceed 250 words and local issues take precedence.

The Government has said it is committed to bringing in Martha’s Rule, entitling patients to a second opinion, after a campaign by the parents of 13-year-old Martha Mills, who died in hospital after developing sepsis.

Rare diseases do strike unexpectedly, and mistakes are sometimes made. Martha’s Rule, if passed, will ensure that a second opinion is always available, protecting patients and doctors alike.

Please show support for this by contacting your MP to ensure Martha’s Rule is enacted by this parliament.

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