A MOTHER says fears over swine flu could have cost the life of her daughter, who ended up screaming in agony.

Tracie Jenkins was told by phone not to take her daughter to a Kington surgery because she could have the virus.

But 12-year-old Mollie, a pupil at Lady Hawkins High School, actually had appendicitis.

This was treated 13 days later when she finally saw her doctor – who immediately sent her to hospital.

“I called the doctors at the Meads on July 8 in Kington and they said Mollie had symptoms of swine flu so they couldn’t see her,” said Ms Jenkins.

“Instead, we were told to phone NHS Direct. The doctor on the phone said he didn’t think it was swine flu but it could not be ruled out.

“After ringing NHS Direct we made her rest until the following Thursday, which was six or seven days later.

“By July 16 we were very concerned because she was screaming in pain and we rang Primecare.”

Primecare – which offers emergency cover for GPs in Herefordshire – sent Mollie to its unit at Hereford County Hospital.

“By then she had lost a stone in weight and was an awful colour. The doctor examined her and sent her home, saying it was likely to be food poisoning,” said Ms Jenkins.

A second call was made to Primecare with Mollie’s condition worsening.

“By the Monday morning my daughter was virtually on the floor and begging me to do something. Then we saw our doctor in Kington who said she should be in hospital and called an ambulance,” said Ms Jenkins.

On July 21, Mollie had an operation to remove her appendix and an abscess and is now recovering.

“Thirteen days for appendicitis to be diagnosed is ridiculous,” said Ms Jenkins.

“She is lucky she made it. If the abscess had burst she probably would not have made the hospital and would have been flooded with poison. As it was, she was tube fed and had her stomach pumped.”

Ms Jenkins, from Evenjobb, says: “There is too much emphasis on swine flu. There should be a support doctor who just deals with swine flu instead of sending people away.

“Mollie is not too bad now but it was so distressing for her.”

NHS Herefordshire said it was aware of the dangers of swine flu masking other illnesses.

“It is possible people calling the national pandemic flu line about a flu-like illness are diagnosed as not having swine flu – but they may still have other illnesses,” said press officer Robert Blower.

“The primary care trust is advising local people who still have concerns about their health to talk to their GP about their symptoms.

“GPs would still prefer to be called again straight away if the patient is still unwell or experiencing health problems.

“Please do not leave it for a few days if you still feel unwell. Call your doctor, as other illnesses will be treated as normal.”

n NHS Herefordshire has said the county has sufficient supplies of antiviral medicine. The PCT has also increased the number of pharmacies that can provide antivirals from six to nine.

Anyone who thinks they have swine flu can check symptoms on nhs.uk and direct.gov.uk/pandemicflu or call the swine flu information line on 0800 1513513.