Children's Health Ireland (CHI) has apologised to the family of a seven-year-old girl who died at Temple Street Hospital after a delay in treatment for fluid on her brain.
The High Court was told that CHI had admitted liability and it was accepted that Lily Daly, from Kilmainham in Dublin, should have had a drain inserted to relieve pressure on her brain soon after she was admitted to hospital in February 2019.
The court was told Lily who had a history of a build up of fluid in the brain was brought to CHI Temple Street at around 10am on 9 February 2019 complaining of flu like symptoms and headache. A CT scan showed fluid on the brain which required a drain to relieve pressure.
However, it was decided she would first have an MRI and have the drain inserted later that day. She deteriorated during the day with vomiting and vision loss and was brought for an MRI after 3pm which was not ulitmately carried out until more than an hour later.
She went into cardiac arrest while in the scanner and later died. In a High Court action it was alleged there was insufficient staff to lift Lily onto the scanner, requiring her to be sent back to A&E and returned later for the scan.
After settling their High Court case for €168,000, the girl's mother, Olivea Maguire said she believed the hospital's "lack of staffing and proper processes" failed them on the day. She also said those caring for loved ones in hospital should remain vigilant and keep asking questions.
She said six long years after their beautiful daughter’s death the family have finally received a formal apology and acceptance of liability from CHI at Temple Street over Lily’s "tragic and preventable death".
"We knew Lily was getting worse and worse, yet we kept being told her vital signs were ok. We knew they weren't. Lily was admitted to the hospital at 10am on the day she passed. There was more than enough time to receive the care that could have saved her life," she said.
Ms Maguire added: "We watched helplessly as Lily’s condition visibly deteriorated throughout the day until she suffered a cardiac arrest in the MRI machine at 5pm.
"This happened even though after a CT scan doctors had identified just that afternoon that a straightforward procedure could have saved her life.
"We deeply respect their hard work and commitment. However, we believe that the hospital’s lack of staffing and proper processes failed Lily and us on that day."
Senior Counsel Maura McNally told the court that liability and breach of duty has been admitted by CHI at Temple Street over the death of Lily in February 2019. She said it was accepted that the drain insertion to drain fluid from the brain "should have been performed with immediacy".
In a letter of apology which was read to the court, the management and staff of CHI at Temple Street expressed its "deepest condolences and most sincere apologies" to the family over the "tragic death of your daughter Lily while she was under our care".
The letter added that the hospital and its staff profoundly regretted the tragic consequences and fully acknowledged "the immense impact this has had on your lives".
Outside court, the family’s solicitor Roger Murray said an inquest into Lily’s death will be held later this month and the family hope to learn of changes that may have been introduced by the hospital since to prevent similar such cases and "to demonstrate that Lily’s little life mattered".
