MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE

MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE

Delay in Diagnosing Meningitis

This case involved a newborn baby that was born on 8 July 2019 at Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway with an apparent sepsis infection.  Counsel for the child argued that the baby should have been given antibiotics sooner after birth and if that had happened, she would not have suffered from sepsis/ meningitis. He said that with meningitis, a blood

clot formed in the baby's brain, and it was claimed that she suffered a brain injury. It was further claimed that there was a failure to appreciate the signs of sepsis in the first hours after birth. The baby was not given antibiotics for another two days.

At midday on 10 July 2019, it was claimed the baby was admitted to the neonatal unit, one hour after being seen and having sepsis investigated. It was claimed she exhibited neurological signs, but no antibiotics were given. A decision was then made to start antibiotics and the baby was put on them at 1.pm.

The hospital had an expression of regret read out to the court in which they apologized for the distress caused and regretted that some aspects of the care to the mother and baby did not reach the standard to which they aspired.

Counsel said that the HSE admitted a breach of duty and that there were signs of infection after birth. The HSE admitted that there should have been a sepsis workup, and antibiotics should have been admitted. The issue of causation still remained undecided.                                                                                   

The parties agreed a settlement of €1.7m which was approved of by Mr. Justice Paul Coffey noting that it was a fair and reasonable settlement.

Rehmah Shafiq (Infant) v HSE High Court (Coffey J) 21 March 2024