The child who died yesterday within 24 hours of her heart surgery being postponed by Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin, Dublin, had been awaiting surgery for a month more than was ideal, a consultant at the hospital said last night.
As an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the child's treatment and death began, Dr Paul Oslizlok, a consultant paediatric cardiologist at the hospital, also said a shortage of intensive care nurses was the reason for the little girl's surgery being cancelled on Monday. The hospital found it difficult to attract such staff because of its outdated conditions, he said.
"If we had a proper modern facility that was a pleasure to work in, I think we would find it a lot easier to retain and recruit staff," he told The Irish Times.
The little girl who died has not been named. She was due to have elective surgery to repair a complex congenital heart problem on Monday and had been admitted to the hospital. However, when it was discovered there was no intensive care nurse available to man her bed after surgery, the operation was postponed and she was discharged home. "She was very stable," Dr Oslizlok said. The child died at her home early yesterday.
The Minister for Health, Mr Martin, has asked for an urgent report from the Eastern Regional Health Authority, which approves funding for the hospital, on the child's treatment. He extended condolences to the child's family.
Dr Oslizlok said he could not disclose details of the child's age or where she had lived. He said her family was distraught and amazed details of the case were already in the media. "This was a lovely child and within the hospital we are devastated. Every week that passes we tend to be short nurses for intensive care beds. As a result we often have to delay transfer of patients from other hospitals or send them elsewhere when this may not be the most appropriate thing to do," he added. The hospital has 21 intensive care beds and 15 were occupied on Monday.
One or two elective cardiac procedures are being cancelled every month at Crumlin as a result of the intensive care nurse shortage. The shortage is a global problem, he stressed.
Furthermore Dr Oslizlok said the child waited for her surgery for two to three months. "For this particular patient the wait was perhaps a month more prolonged that we would like it. We are concerned that waiting times for cardiac surgery are again becoming a problem," he said.
An independent report on conditions at the hospital, published in February, said the hospital was seriously outdated and should be replaced. It said its intensive care provision was "very limited".