The parents of a 10-year-old girl say they want answers as to why she died after a series of surgeries at Temple Street Children’s Hospital, reports RTE.
Dolcena Carter, from County Meath, suffered from spina bifida and scoliosis.
She first underwent spine surgery at the hospital in May 2021.
After the first treatment, Dolcena underwent several more treatments and died on September 29 last year.
The case is part of an external review of 19 children treated at Temple Street announced by the HSE.
The HSE described the case as a “serious surgical incident” which has been the subject of a Serious Incident Investigation Review since last month.
Her parents, Michael and Bridget Carter, said they are looking for answers, reports RTE.
They said that apart from spina bifida and scoliosis, Dolcena was a perfect girl who was the centre of attention everywhere and had a wonderful smile.
They said that although she was in a wheelchair due to her health condition, she had otherwise never been sick.
“She was bubbly, a TikTok diva, loved her phone, her make-up and loved dressing up,” Mr Carter said, reports RTE.
Dolcena received her first Holy Communion in May 2021, just before her first surgery on Temple Street.
Her case and 18 others are still being investigated as part of an external review.
Sinn Féin TD Louise O’Reilly said “there should be nothing more pressing on his agenda. The families want information” and Minister Donnelly can give it,” reports RTE.
Leader of the Labour Party Ivana Bacik said “we’ve all been utterly dismayed this week about revelations of safety of certain surgeries performed at Temple Street Children’s Hospital, and the revelations have also cast a focus on ongoing failings in provision of surgery for children across children’s hospitals in Ireland”.
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