‘A part of us died with her’ – Aoife Johnston’s parents speak out for first time since her tragic death

"We need to know why our daughter wasn’t saved"

The teenager died from meningitis at University Hospital Limerick (UHL) in December 2022. 

They are calling for greater accountability and transparency from the HSE and the State, frustrated by the lack of clarity surrounding the circumstances that led to her death.

Aoife was admitted to UHL with suspected sepsis on December 17th, 2022, but despite her critical condition, there was a 13-hour delay before she received life-saving antibiotics. 

Two days later, on December 19th, she passed away from severe brain injuries caused by a lack of oxygen.

In a recent interview on RTE’s Prime Time, Aoife’s parents expressed their frustration with a report into the incident, which highlighted severe overcrowding and understaffing at the hospital. 

The report found that her death was "almost certainly avoidable," but failed to provide the answers her parents were seeking.

“I know it was overcrowded, but we can't accept that as the full answer,” Carol Johnston said, adding that her daughter’s life could have been saved under different circumstances.

Speaking about the night Aoife was admitted to UHL, her dad James said: "There's not a day that goes by that I don't blame myself for not doing more later on during the night, and just. I just didn't think she was going to die.

"Like, I really. I just. If I had. If I had known, I would have torn the place apart, but I just didn't. Just didn't think that she was going to die on us. I really didn't."

The report, authored by retired Chief Justice Frank Clarke, detailed major failings, including a lack of clarity around sepsis protocols and a significant shortage of staff. 

However, the Johnstons remain unsatisfied with the lack of accountability and want more transparency about who is being held responsible for their daughter’s death.

“When Aoife died, a part of us died with her,” Carol said. "We need to know why our daughter wasn’t saved."

"Our life has totally changed for the worst, definitely. I can't see, I don't see happy days coming,” Carol went on to say.

"I can't see them. We try our best. We try to just take each day, Miriam, as it comes, but it's very sad. It's lonely. It's different. It's quiet."

Aoife’s death has prompted discussions about the quality of care at UHL and raised questions about patient safety in overcrowded hospitals across Ireland.

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