Young woman died because of delayed CT scan; HSE apologized to Lisa’s family

The HSE has apologized to the family of a 19-year-old woman who died of a brain haemorrhage after a delay in arranging a CT scan.

Lisa Niland, 19, was admitted to Sligo University Hospital three years ago after suffering a severe headache and vomiting at a fast food restaurant.

The hospital was informed that the girl is having a cerebral hemorrhage but the hospital was not ready for a CT scan until the next day.

The hospital staff erroneously ruled that the girl had health problems due to alcoholism. However, the hospital authorities refused to provide adequate treatment despite her friends and family saying she was not drunk.

An HSE investigation into the circumstances under which the young woman may have died found that there was a serious fall on the part of the hospital.

The HSE also found that hospital staff failed to diagnose the condition and perform timely CT scans.

The family lawyer said Lisa’s life could have been saved if a CT scan had been performed as soon as she was admitted to the hospital on January 17, 2017.

They also say hospital staff denied a CT scan, saying calling the radiographer at night would affect staff arrangements for the next day.

Lisa collapsed when she went to a restaurant for a milkshake due to severe headache, dizziness and vomiting, and was later admitted to hospital.

She was admitted to the emergency department and later to a ward but did not receive emergency treatment. A CT scan the next morning revealed a brain haemorrhage.

The woman was airlifted to Beaumont Hospital in Dublin after suffering a heart attack. She underwent surgery from there but died on January 20, 2017.

Her parents and sister settled the case following the family’s grief over Lisa’s death. The case was settled last week.

As part of this, HSE issued an apology. However, details of the compensation have not been disclosed.

In the High Court yesterday, hospital officials and the HSE apologized to Lisa’s parents, Jerry and Angela. Outside the court, family solicitor Damian Tansey said Lisa’s death was an unspeakable tragedy and the family was emotionally devastated.

Tansey said she would have survived if the procedures had been followed the same day Lisa was admitted to the hospital. He said Lisa was a talented student who was the pride and joy of the family.

HSE indicated that in the light of this incident it would review the practice that only consultants should recommend a CT scan.

The HSE stated that hospital staff should be provided with proper training in diagnosing the disease and that emergency department staff should have an accurate understanding of the symptoms of the disease.