When should I consider referring a patient with suspected bacterial meningitis to secondary care?

Consider referring a patient with suspected bacterial meningitis to secondary care immediately as an emergency. This applies to all ages from birth onwards. Arrange emergency medical transfer to hospital by telephoning 999 without delay. Do not delay transfer to hospital to administer antibiotics.

If there is likely to be a clinically significant delay in transfer to hospital, give intravenous or intramuscular ceftriaxone or benzylpenicillin outside of hospital unless the patient has a severe allergy to these antibiotics.

Patients with strongly suspected bacterial meningitis or meningococcal disease require urgent assessment by a senior clinical decision maker in secondary care.