Bryonny Sainsbury died on 26th August 2021 after being crushed by a horse during a veterinary procedure at a riding stable.
The Health Minister and the CEO of the HSE are issuing a formal public apology to an Midlands family following the death of their daughter.
Bryonny Sainsbury was admitted to the Midlands Regional Hospital, Mullingar, after she was crushed by a horse in August 2001, but some of the advice issued by specialists at Beaumont Hospital was not followed.
Ms Sainsbury died on August 31st 2021 after being transferred to Beaumont Hospital.
An independent review into her care, by the hospital, found system wide failing in the delivery of her care, leading to today's formal public apology.
The Minister and the HSE CEO heard directly from the Sainsbury family about the profound distress they experienced—not only during Bryonny’s time in the HSE's care, but also throughout the lengthy review and legal processes that followed.
A statement from the HSE says "it is clear that the communication, support, and respect they needed and deserved were not provided. This was unacceptable".
Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill says “In my time as Minister for Health, I have met many families who have experienced the devastating loss of a loved one, and I am always humbled by their generosity and willingness to help improve the health service and protect others. The Sainsbury family may never know how many lives will be saved or improved through their advocacy and sharing their most painful of experiences. This is the poignant but enduring legacy of their beloved Bryonny."
She says she wants to reassure them of the collective commitment to improve the culture in the health services so that everyone experiences the support they deserve at their times of greatest trauma and distress and that there is no space in our health services for not listening to families, for not treating patients and families with respect and compassion, for not communicating openly and honestly.
Bernard Gloster, CEO of the HSE said, “The family’s courage and generosity in participating in the review process has directly contributed to the development of the National Patient Safety Alert for Clinical Governance of Traumatic Brain Injury, an important national safeguard designed to strengthen patient safety and ensure that the voices of patients and families are heard. Their tireless advocacy to bring about these necessary changes to the healthcare system is recognised, and these reforms will serve as your daughter Bryonny’s enduring legacy.
He also says “We are fully committed to driving the cultural and systemwide changes required to ensure that no other family endures what the Sainsbury family has been through. We reaffirm our commitment to the core values of listening, compassion, respect, and open communication—values that must guide every interaction within our health system. We hope that today’s apology, together with the publication of the review, offers some measure of acknowledgement and support as the Sainsbury family continue to live with the loss of Bryonny. We again extend our heartfelt condolences.”
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