A GRIEVING family are set to lodge complaints about the care their son received before dying of meningitis.

Sam Bearman’s heartbroken mum, Cindy Barrett, and his stepdad Lee Barrett have voiced their anger over the treatment the 24-year-old received before his death last month.

Mrs Barrett claims she had to “practically beg” to get a doctor’s appointment when Sam was first unwell.

She called Mount Chambers Surgery, Braintree, at 3.39pm on Sunday, January 2, and her call was taken by Primecare, which operates the out-of-hours service.

Mrs Barrett claims she was told she would receive a callback within one to five hours.

But as Sam’s condition worsened, she rang back at 3.58pm.

She claims she was once again told to wait for a callback.

After waiting until 7.36pm, she called again to insist on an appointment. It was then arranged for Sam to see a Primecare GP at Braintree Community Hospital at 8.50pm.

However, during this appointment, the family claim there was no mention of meningitis and Sam was given an anti-sickness injection and some electrolyte drink additives.

They said he was told to go home and only return if he had not urinated within six hours.

A spokesman for Primecare said: “We cannot comment on the individual circumstances of patients.

“However, where someone is unhappy with the service provided, we would invite them to get in touch so we can thoroughly investigate.”

Mr Barrett said although Sam was weak, his condition initially seemed to improve.

However, on January 5, his condition deteriorated and the couple called an ambulance to the family home in Plains Field, Braintree.

The couple claim the ambulance then “sat outside the house for ten to 15 minutes” and no blue light was used to rush him to Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford, despite Sam becoming delirious.

In response, an ambulance service spokesman said: “Our condolences are with the family.

“We take any concerns of this kind very seriously and will address them as far as possible.”

Mrs Barrett said: “When we got to hospital, he was left on a stretcher for what seemed like ages. It was probably five to ten minutes before a nurse saw him.

“He was wheeled into an area where patients had been admitted. I was left in this room with him, and I could see he was just getting worse.

“I could hear nurses outside laughing, and I said could someone come and see him.”

At this point, it was suspected Sam had meningitis and he was given antibiotics and later put on a life support machine.

But this was turned off on Thursday, January 6, after a scan revealed damage to his brain caused by swelling.

A spokesman for Broomfield Hospital said: “We send our condolences to the family of Mr Bearman on their sad loss. The trust is disappointed to receive any complaints regarding the care of our patients, and takes these matters very seriously.”

He added the trust would welcome the opportunity to talk to the family about Sam’s care.

Mrs Barrett said: “We’re going to lodge a complaint about everything. From start to finish it was horrific.”