The Johnston family, whose 16-year-old daughter Aoife passed away at Limerick University Hospital (UHL) in December 2022, are now pushing for an immediate release of the report into her death. Aoife, who hailed from Shannon, Co Clare, lost her life to meningitis on the 19th of December, 2022. She had been referred to the severely busy emergency department of UHL with a suspicion of sepsis, which was not treated for over a dozen hours.
The inquiry into Aoife’s death, carried out by ex-Chief Justice Frank Clarke, wrapped up two months prior. During a conversation on RTÉ’s Drivetime, the family’s legal representative, Damien Tansey, revealed the Johnston’s viewed the Clarke document as “extremely surface-level” and believed there were significant constraints and limitations on Mr Clarke’s remit.
Mr Tansey mentioned that the Johnston family had penned a letter to the HSE head, Bernard Gloster, conveying their intent to disclose the received report if the HSE doesn’t. They want an immediate and uncensored publication. The Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA) is backing the call for the Clarke report’s release.
“The Johnston family must be consulted for the full disclosure. This is a crucial subsequent step,” commented a representative. Both the UHL Group and the HSE had previously apologised publicly to the Johnstons. Expressing the HSE’s sympathy once more, Mr Gloster acknowledged their distress over Aoife’s untimely demise during their care and reiterated their remorse. However, he mentioned his apologies would not alleviate their pain.
The HSE disclosed Mr Gloster’s dedication to disseminating Mr Clarke’s report in a suitable format, which needs to factor in the HSE’s duties to all associated parties and maintain the confidentiality of the personal and sensitive data in the document.
A Department of Health representative indicated Minister Stephen Donnelly’s endorsement for the measures initiated by the HSE CEO following the report from Mr Justice Clarke.