Cavan hospital apologises for shortcomings in care of baby who died 13 days before first birthday

Baby Luke Lyons Kelly had heart surgery months before being admitted to Cavan General Hospital, but Crumlin’s Children’s Hospital was not contacted by Cavan until it was too late

Baby Luke Lyons Kelly, who in his short life had to have heart surgery, was brought to Cavan General Hospital on July 1, 2023, as he was acutely unwell. File photo: Lorraine Teevan

Cavan General Hospital has apologised for the shortcomings in care to a baby boy who died 13 days before his first birthday.

Baby Luke Lyons Kelly, who in his short life had to have heart surgery, was brought to Cavan General Hospital on July 1, 2023, as he was acutely unwell. The family’s counsel Maura McNally SC told the court that Luke’s family were told a Lung X-ray was clear and he was not admitted.

Two days later, counsel said, Baby Luke was brought back to the hospital and this time he was admitted and treated with antibiotics and fluids. He was put on oxygen but his condition worsened and on the morning of July 5, counsel said, unfortunately Baby Luke went to sleep and never woke up again.

Counsel told the court that Baby Luke months earlier had his heart surgery which was successful at Crumlin’s Children’s Hospital, Dublin, but that hospital was not contacted about the baby boy’s condition until it was too late.

An apology was read to the court by counsel for the HSE Conor Halpin SC as Baby Luke’s family settled an action over his death.

In the letter of apology signed by the acting general manager of the hospital, Laura Waters, it offered deepest condolences to the Lyons Kelly family following the death of Baby Luke.

It added: “I would like to extend my sincere apologies for the shortcomings in the care that your son received in Cavan General Hospital. We acknowledge that the experience was devastating for you and understand that this apology cannot negate the deep effect the loss of your son has had on your lives or in any way make up for this tragic loss. 

“I wish to reassure you and your family that the hospital strives at all times to optimise patient care and that we will continue to ensure the best practice is at the forefront of our clinical service to all patients.” 

Baby Luke’s parents, Helena Lyons and Barry Kelly, of Shantemon, Co Cavan, had sued the HSE over the death of their baby son at Cavan General Hospital on July 5, 2023.

Parents' claims

It was claimed that an internal review at the hospital after Baby Luke’s death found significant systems of care issues, including that Luke needed invasive ventilatory support and probable additional cardiovascular support at an earlier stage in the acute illness in order to avoid his progression to an acute cardiac arrest scenario.

In the proceedings, it was claimed there was an alleged failure to act in a proactive manner in the treatment of Baby Luke.

There was also, it was claimed, an alleged failure to contact the cardiac unit at the Dublin hospital at the earliest reasonable opportunity and a failure to have adequate ongoing communication with the Dublin hospital.

There was, it was claimed, an alleged failure to transfer Baby Luke to the Dublin hospital in an expeditious manner at the earliest reasonable opportunity.

Noting the settlement and the division of the €35,000 metal distress solatium payment, Mr Justice Paul Coffey extended his deepest sympathy to Baby Luke’s family in what he said was a most tragic case.