Cavan General Hospital has issued an apology to the parents of a 12-month-old boy for the “shortcomings in the care” he received at the facility more than two years ago.
The statement was delivered during the inquest into the death of Luke Kelly, which is ongoing before the Coroner for Co Cavan, Dr Mary Flanagan, reports RTE.
His parents, Barry Kelly and Helena Lyons, who live in Shantemon, Co Cavan, gave testimony during the proceedings.
They described Luke as a “courageous little hero” and said he was the “most beautiful, smiley, placid child that any parent could ask for”, reports RTE.
The inquest heard that Luke had been diagnosed with Shone’s syndrome, a rare congenital heart condition, and had undergone two major surgeries at Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) in Crumlin.
The second of these surgeries took place in April 2023, and he was discharged the following month to continue his recovery at home, reports RTE.
Medical staff at CHI were satisfied with his progress at the time and believed he would not need a follow-up for another six months.
Luke’s parents said they were advised to bring him to their local hospital if any new health issues arose, reports RTE.
In the months that followed, Luke contracted a number of respiratory illnesses and was taken to the Paediatric Assessment Unit (PAU) at Cavan General Hospital multiple times.
The purpose of the inquest is to examine what led to Luke’s condition worsening during a five-day stay at Cavan General Hospital that began on 1 July 2023, reports RTE.
He was pronounced dead on 5 July 2023 at the hospital, just under two weeks before his first birthday.
Mr Kelly and Ms Lyons told the inquest that the loss of their son had left them “heartbroken”, reports RTE.
They said they still have questions about why Luke was not transferred back to CHI in Crumlin when his health started to deteriorate.
Roger Murray SC, legal representative for the family, also questioned whether hospital staff were fully aware of Luke’s “extremely rare cardiac condition” and his “narrow airway”, reports RTE.
At the hearing, Senior Counsel Conor Halpin, representing the hospital, read an official apology from Laura Waters, Acting General Manager for Cavan and Monaghan Hospital.
“On behalf of the management and staff of Cavan General Hospital I wish to offer my deepest condolences to you both and to your extended family following the death of your dear son Luke,” the apology read,
“I would like to extend my sincere apologies for the shortcomings in the care that your son received in Cavan General Hospital. We acknowledge that the experience was devastating for you and understand that this apology cannot negate the deep effect the loss of your son has had on your lives or in any way make up for this tragic loss,” reports RTE.
“I wish to reassure you and your family that the hospital strives at all times to optimise patient care and that we will continue to ensure that best practice is at the forefront of our clinical service to all patients,” reports RTE.
The inquest is also taking statements from several medical professionals who were present during Luke’s time at the hospital.
It will resume for a second day tomorrow at Cavan Courthouse, where Coroner Dr Flanagan is expected to deliver a verdict in the afternoon, reports RTE.
Over 15 individuals are expected to testify across the two days of proceedings.
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