Family of Aoife Johnston 'not consulted' over terms of reference for investigation into her death

A SOLICITOR representing the family of Aoife Johnston has expressed concern over their lack of input in determining the terms of reference for the upcoming investigation into the teenager's tragic death.

Damien Tansey, senior counsel and senior partner at Damien Tansey Solicitors in Sligo, stressed the family's profound interest in the independent investigation into the death of their 16-year-old daughter at University Hospital Limerick.

In an interview with Morning Ireland this Thursday, Mr Tansey said certain media outlets had access to an internal review of the case which was conducted by UHL in December 2023, while the family did not receive the same information.

He said it was "entirely inappropriate" that they should learn about the latest updates into Aoife's case via the media. "They certainly would like basic courtesy to take place," he added.

On Tuesday night, the HSE officially shared details of the report along with the terms of reference for the independent investigation which will be led by former Chief Justice Frank Clarke.

HSE publishes terms of reference for investigation into death of Aoife Johnston at UHL

The review highlighted concerns and deficiencies at UHL that played a role in the events following Aoife Johnston's arrival at the hospital.

It found that overcrowding is endemic in the emergency department and that the "boarding" of admitted patients in the ED is a planned part of patient flow even though the specific staff to care for such patients have not yet been appointed.

Mr Tansey stated that the family will need time to thoroughly review the terms of reference for the new review. They intend to provide feedback with the aim of sharing their "observations [or] comments" to address their primary concerns.

Scheduled for April in Limerick, the inquest into the teenager's death will take place.

Aoife, who was from Shannon in Co Clare, passed away after a 12-hour wait in the UHL emergency department on December 19, 2022, having been diagnosed with bacterial meningitis and sepsis.

After the report detailing the internal review was produced in December 2023, Mr Tansey reiterated the announcement that the CEO of the HSE and the minister for health offered to meet the Johnston family. "We certainly indicated our willingness to participate in that meeting, it hasn't moved beyond that point," stated the family's representative. "We will attend as soon as a concrete invitation emerges".

In terms of the family, Mr Tansey noted the significantly difficult time which the family are going through. "You cannot imagine the difficulties they are confronted with on a daily basis, and it was particularly difficult for them coming up to Christmas."

Having been in the hospital on the night of Aoife's attendance to UHL, Mr Tansey said their "pleading" was ignored and they are now "living with that experience on a daily basis and it is haunting them".

The review revealed "endemic overcrowding" at UHL. It noted a failure to follow national guidelines on sepsis management on December 17, 2022, resulting in a 12-hour delay in sepsis care.

General staffing shortages were also identified and, in Aoife's specific case, Mr Tansey stated that the hospital was "utterly chaotic" on the night in question, with "absolutely no leadership on the ground."

Referring to a similar case which occurred at Sligo University Hospital in 2007, Mr Tansey added: "It just beggars belief that lessons are never learned".