A U.K. mother is furious after her seven-year-old daughter was sent home from hospital four times before finally being diagnosed with dangerous E. coli and receiving a life-saving blood transfusion.

The Shields Gazette in northern England quoted mother Sarah Coulson as saying, “I was made to feel like I was being a silly parent. I felt like they didn’t believe me. I’m angry and I can’t stop thinking about it. We could have put her to bed and she might not have woken up.”

Anya, a pupil at Ashley Primary School in South Shields, was first taken to hospital on July 23, but Mrs Coulson says she was sent home with a prescription of rehydration salts.

Later that night – after Anya’s condition deteriorated – she returned to the Harton Lane hospital in South Shields, but again was not admitted.

The following day her parents took her back. Anya was examined and samples were taken, before she was sent away and told to drink more water.

The youngster was later seen by a paediatrician, given another examination, and sent home again.

By August 3 Mrs Coulson and her husband, 40, a detention officer, decided to seek another opinion, and took Anya to the RVI.

She was admitted immediately to the hospital’s intensive care unit and spent two days receiving treatment, including a blood transfusion, as doctors tried to flush the infection from her body.

Anya’s parents have now contacted the NHS Patient Advice and Liaison Services and say they are considering legal action against South Tyneside District Hospital.