Alder Hey admits 24 failures in Eleanor's death — SkimNews
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- Alder Hey accepted full responsibility for 24 failures in care that led to 21-month-old Eleanor Hazel Aldred-Owen’s death, which her family said was preventable; a coroner concluded it was misadventure contributed to by neglect.
- Eleanor Hazel Aldred-Owen underwent routine surgery for craniosynostosis on 29 September 2023; an anaesthetist replaced a breathing tube accidentally removed during the procedure, which then continued as planned.
- AIRVO, a type of high-flow humidified oxygen, was started when Eleanor developed a raised heart rate and needed oxygen after surgery, but the decision was undocumented and not prescribed according to trust guidelines.
- Eleanor Hazel Aldred-Owen developed a collapsed lung after surgery, but a radiographer did not flag her abnormal chest X-ray and a doctor delayed review while reviewing another child in A&E; she suffered cardiac arrest before the collapse was identified and treated, causing an unsurvivable brain injury.
- Paediatric Early Warning System scores were calculated incorrectly on several occasions; the investigation said correct calculation would have prompted a much earlier medical review and chest X-ray.
- Alder Hey introduced a clear escalation process within radiology for grossly abnormal and time-critical findings; Eleanor’s family said the changes must be used properly and kept under review to make care safer for other children.
- Chaz said two post-operative procedures had been brought into Alder Hey and named after Eleanor, calling the reforms their daughter’s legacy.
Why it matters: For Eleanor’s parents, Alder Hey’s acceptance of 24 failures provides the accountability they said was central to the justice they sought after a long, painful process. For other children treated at Alder Hey, the concrete change is clearer radiology escalation for grossly abnormal and time-critical findings, with the family insisting it stays properly used and under review.
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