HSE chief receives report into Aoife Johnston death

A report into the death of Aoife Johnston at University Hospital Limerick by former Chief Justice Mr Justice Frank Clarke has been received by the Chief Executive of the HSE.

Aoife, from Shannon in Co Clare, died from meningitis on 19 December 2022.

The 16-year-old had presented at the Emergency Department at University Hospital Limerick two days earlier, with suspected sepsis, but faced a lengthy wait for treatment.

Earlier this year an inquest into her death returned a verdict of medical misadventure.

Limerick Coroner John McNamara said there were systemic failures, missed opportunities and communication breakdowns throughout Aoife’s time in the ED at UHL.

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Mr McNamara also said he was concerned at the ongoing problems at the hospital.

Last December, Health Service Executive CEO Bernard Gloster appointed former Chief Justice Clarke to conduct a formal investigation into her death.

Speaking on RTÉ’s This Week, Mr Gloster said he has now received a report by Mr Clarke.

“I received his report on Wednesday night I’m currently reading and considering that,” Mr Gloster said.

“I will consider that now against the backdrop of all of the information I have available to me, which is quite extensive, and I imagine that later this week I will have concluded that deliberation.

“I then want to engage with Aoife’s family, and I have a number of other processes to consider,” he said.