Esmee Polmear: Parents 'told not to worry' by doctors'

Esmee Polmear collapsed at school and died

The parents of a seven-year-old girl who collapsed at school and died have said doctors told them "not to worry" in the weeks leading up to her death.

Lynette and Mark Polmear say their daughter, Esmee, went downhill over the course of 18 months.

She collapsed at Perranporth School, Cornwall on 1 July and was taken to the Royal Cornwall Hospital where she died.

Esmee had been complaining of breathlessness and had been seen at St Agnes surgery on a number of occasions.

The surgery has declined to comment on the case.

Mrs Polmear said: "We've taken her about five or six times in the space of 18 months but they just informed us it's probably more anxiety and panic attacks."

Mark and Lynette Polmear say they were told their daughter Esmee's problems were "mental"

Mr Polmear said: "You ask yourself what six or seven-year-old has panic attacks over nothing.

"One minute she's singing and the house is full of music because she's singing so loud and the next minute she's just sat on the sofa and didn't want to do anything."

Medical tests on Esmee did not show any specific problem and a follow-up consultant's appointment was made.

Mr Polmear said: "He sat me in that surgery and he told me everything was going to be alright. He reassured me. I said I want more tests and he said no Mark, there's no need, it's mental."

A first post-mortem on Esmee has proved inconclusive with the results of a second due at the end of August.

"We just keep blaming ourselves," said Mrs Polmear.

Esmee with her mother at St Michael's Mount