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Hyponatraemia inquiry: Belfast trust apologises to family Hyponatraemia inquiry: Belfast trust apologises to family
(about 2 hours later)
The Belfast Health Trust has officially apologised to the families of five children who died in their care.The Belfast Health Trust has officially apologised to the families of five children who died in their care.
The trust's chief executive, Colm Donaghy, told the hyponatraemia inquiry that the agony and pain felt by the parents cannot be underestimated.The trust's chief executive, Colm Donaghy, told the hyponatraemia inquiry that the agony and pain felt by the parents cannot be underestimated.
The families said the apology had come too late and said how they had been treated throughout was disgraceful.The families said the apology had come too late and said how they had been treated throughout was disgraceful.
Hyponatraemia is an abnormally low level of sodium in blood and can occur when fluids are given incorrectly.Hyponatraemia is an abnormally low level of sodium in blood and can occur when fluids are given incorrectly.
Three other senior Belfast trust health managers are due before the inquiry.Three other senior Belfast trust health managers are due before the inquiry.
Mr Donaghy said, on behalf of the trust, that it regrets most sincerely the pain and suffering experienced by the families of Adam Strain, Claire Roberts, Lucy Crawford, Raychel Ferguson and Conor Mitchell.Mr Donaghy said, on behalf of the trust, that it regrets most sincerely the pain and suffering experienced by the families of Adam Strain, Claire Roberts, Lucy Crawford, Raychel Ferguson and Conor Mitchell.
HurtHurt
The mothers of Claire and Raychel wept as the chief executive read the apology.The mothers of Claire and Raychel wept as the chief executive read the apology.
Later, Raychel's mother Marie told the BBC: "This inquiry's coming to an end now this week, but it's not the end for us.
"We still, every day, live with the pain that we're not going to see our children again.
"What we want now is accountability - people have to be held accountable for our children's deaths and I'm calling on the PSNI to look at this again."
Mr Donaghy acknowledged how litigation had been handled by the trust had added to the hurt and grief felt by the families.Mr Donaghy acknowledged how litigation had been handled by the trust had added to the hurt and grief felt by the families.
He went on to apologise unreservedly for the unacceptable delay in the Belfast Health Trust's handling and accepting of liability.He went on to apologise unreservedly for the unacceptable delay in the Belfast Health Trust's handling and accepting of liability.
The inquiry was established in 2005 but has been postponed on several occasions.The inquiry was established in 2005 but has been postponed on several occasions.
The inquiry is examining the deaths of three children, Adam Strain, Claire Roberts and Raychel Ferguson. It is also investigating the events following the deaths of Lucy Crawford and Conor Mitchell.The inquiry is examining the deaths of three children, Adam Strain, Claire Roberts and Raychel Ferguson. It is also investigating the events following the deaths of Lucy Crawford and Conor Mitchell.
All of the children died in hospital. In relation to four of the deaths, hyponatraemia is said to be a contributing factor.All of the children died in hospital. In relation to four of the deaths, hyponatraemia is said to be a contributing factor.
"It is clear that important aspects of the care and treatment afforded to the children at Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children - in particular, fluid management - was poor," Mr Donaghy added."It is clear that important aspects of the care and treatment afforded to the children at Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children - in particular, fluid management - was poor," Mr Donaghy added.
'Missed opportunity''Missed opportunity'
"Communication with families was not sufficiently transparent."Communication with families was not sufficiently transparent.
"Our medical and nursing staff missed the opportunity to reflect on what may have gone wrong and consequently there was a lack of communication with the wider acute hospitals network in Northern Ireland and the Department of Health.""Our medical and nursing staff missed the opportunity to reflect on what may have gone wrong and consequently there was a lack of communication with the wider acute hospitals network in Northern Ireland and the Department of Health."
Mr Donaghy also told the inquiry's chairman, Mr Justice O'Hara, that in all his years as a chief executive, the inquiry had had the "most significant impact" on my trust in terms of the learning from it.Mr Donaghy also told the inquiry's chairman, Mr Justice O'Hara, that in all his years as a chief executive, the inquiry had had the "most significant impact" on my trust in terms of the learning from it.
"There is no member of staff who has remained untouched by the inquiry's impact," he said."There is no member of staff who has remained untouched by the inquiry's impact," he said.
The inquiry is trying to establish who, within the Department of Health, knew about the deaths of the five children and, if they knew, why the information was not acted upon.The inquiry is trying to establish who, within the Department of Health, knew about the deaths of the five children and, if they knew, why the information was not acted upon.