Six-Year-Old Dies After Multiple Hospital Discharges
Tragic Loss Prompts Investigations into Care at Sydney Children’s Hospital
A six-year-old girl has tragically passed away after being sent home twice from Sydney Children’s Hospital. The kindergarten student, remembered for her vibrant spirit, was first taken to the emergency department on Monday.
Initial Assessment and Readmission
Hospital officials confirmed the child was assessed and subsequently discharged. However, her family soon brought her back, at which point she was diagnosed with influenza. The hospital provided “at-home guidance” before a second discharge.
The young girl was later admitted to Northern Beaches Hospital, where she succumbed to her illness on Tuesday. Police have confirmed her death.
Community Mourns Beloved Student
Geoff Lancaster, principal of St Luke’s Grammar School, described the girl as “bright, vivacious, kind and free-spirited.” He shared with the ABC that she was “so full of light and joy, and adored by her parents, teachers and the many friends she had at St Luke’s.”
In an email to the school community, Mr Lancaster expressed the profound heartbreak experienced by the girl’s parents, stating, “No words can express the heartbreak [the parents] are experiencing. As a school community, we share their grief and pray [they] would know the love and support of family and friends.” The school offered counselling and grief resources to families.
One parent, whose child was in the same year, shared her distress, telling the ABC, “We were all crying at the meeting. It’s a really huge shock… she was a very popular little girl.”
Official Investigations Underway
The Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network (SCHN) issued a statement expressing “deepest condolences to the family for the loss of their child.” The SCHN is conducting an initial review of the patient’s care during her time at the hospital.
Northern Beaches Hospital stated they would collaborate with SCHN on investigations aligned with NSW Health policy, including a joint independent review. A coronial inquest has been initiated into the child’s passing.
NSW Health Minister Ryan Park called the death “devastating,” emphasizing the need to “understand how and why this tragedy has occurred, and the parents deserve answers.” He also acknowledged the distress such events cause for healthcare staff.
The matter has been referred to the coroner, and a Serious Adverse Event Review (SAER) will be conducted, a process typically used for investigating significant clinical incidents. According to the World Health Organization, adverse events in healthcare affect an estimated 1 in 10 patients globally, highlighting the critical need for robust safety protocols (WHO).