The HSE has apologised to the family of tragic Shannon Teenager Aoife Johnston for “serious failings in the care provided to their daughter”.
Sixteen Year-Old Aoife Johnston passed away from bacterial meningitis on the 19th of December last after waiting on a trolley for twelve hours at UHL’s Emergency Department.
In a statement to Clare FM, the HSE confirmed that an internal review into Ms Johnston’s death was shared with her family this week.
The review has been referred to the Coroner who has yet to make a determination in the case.
The HSE says CEO Bernard Gloster has received the review and is aware that the UL Hospitals Group has offered an apology for the failings in care identified in the review and that he is willing to meet the family privately should they wish to do so.
HSE Statement
“We have this week shared with the family the review into the tragic death of their daughter.
We have apologised to them for the serious failings in the care we provided to their daughter which have been identified in the review.
The CEO of the HSE Mr Bernard Gloster received the review in recent days and is considering the very serious and significant issues that arise.
He is aware that ULHG have offered a sincere apology for the failings in the care we provided to this girl which have been identified by the review.
He is willing to meet the family privately should they wish to do so but it is a matter for the family to decide if and when they might like to do this.
Out of respect for the family, and to give the Coroner time to consider the matter, we will not be commenting further on the report at this time.
We wish to extend our sincere condolences to the family following their devastating loss.”
The review was commissioned by Prof Brian Lenehan, Chief Clinical Director, UL Hospitals Group, and completed by an expert HSE team external to UL Hospitals Group under the HSE Incident Management Framework.
