A visit to the doctor or to see a specialist is to get answers and a thorough assessment of what is making you or a loved one ill – the aim is not simply to leave reassured that everything is alright and that you have nothing to worry about.

I know that better than anyone – as I’ve been that person who has been given such reassurances by doctors and sent home and told not to worry.

I’d been worried about the health of my baby boy Cayden, who’d been born with a spinal condition and was constantly ill and always picking up infections from birth.

He’d often have pain in his throat due to swelling, he’d have cold hands and cold feet, and he’d get the shivers. Despite overcoming meningitis once at four months, I was still told all was ok.

Months later, I was sat by my son’s bedside as he lay motionless, strapped to machines keeping him alive, but knowing in my heart that the illness had drained the life from him already.

A matter of weeks after doctors had dismissed the nature of his symptoms, my little boy Cayden died in my arms. Meningitis had returned. He had no chance.

Details of how Cayden was let down by the health providers who cared for him can be found on this website, as I have written in depth about the mistakes that were made.

Such was the scale of the errors, Cayden’s story has been featured by many national newspaper websites, and on BBC Television’s Victoria Derbyshire show, after the Trust involved made a full admission of it breaching its duty of care after a four year legal battle I was determined to see through, both for Cayden, and others in the future.

It is with what happened to Cayden in mind that I ask everyone, parents in particular, to consider the question of why they visit their doctors?

Are you happy to walk away having been told all is ok, reassured over health matters even though few detailed tests or scans have been performed?

I’d strongly urge you never to be that person. Don’t go looking for reassurances and good news, go looking for thorough assessments, go armed with questions, and don’t leave without you feeling happy that every avenue has been explored.

If that has happened and the news is good, great. But don’t blank out bad news. Bad news early is better than bad news late – it gives you a chance.

In Cayden’s case, decisive action would have saved him. Yes, he had meningitis, but it is not always a death sentence if caught early and treated appropriately. Had Cayden’s tumour been removed at the first opportunity, he’d have had a fighting chance.

My advice is to demand those thorough and relevant tests, and never take no for an answer.

It’s no good being given good news, only to find out at a later stage that your fears and worries had actually been justified, and that the problem causing you or a loved one to be unwell was missed.

Such delays in diagnosis causes conditions to worsen, making it less likely that future treatment will be successful. In cases such as meningitis and sepsis, the failure to treat quickly is life-threatening.

My advice, from my experience, is;

• Always visit a doctor or consultant looking for answers based on clearly communicated medical expertise and investigation, and which completely reassures you of all of your concerns.

• Make sure the doctor or specialist fully explains the symptoms with you and what could be causing them, the tests they have (or perhaps haven’t done) and why, the diagnosis and prognosis, and why they have suggested the actions they have.

• If you are still unhappy or feel not every avenue has been explored, then ask for a second opinion. You can ask for a second opinion, or a family member or carer can ask on your behalf with your consent.

Don’t have doubts, get all the answers you or your loved one needs – and never take no for an answer.

If you’ve got any doubts in your mind, read Cayden’s story again. I wish I had the chance to demand more of doctors again.