Medical Negligence Claims Life of 3-Year-Old Girl Just Months After Hospital Discharge

Three months after being discharged from the emergency department, a three-year-old girl tragically passed away due to what experts have called multiple “missed opportunities” by medical professionals to diagnose and treat her rare condition.

A Family Vacation Turns Into a Nightmare

During a family vacation in North Wales, young Ryleigh Hillcoat-Bee suddenly fell ill. Concerned for her well-being, her parents, Caroline and Andrew, took her to the hospital, where tests revealed alarmingly high levels of potassium and creatine kinase in her blood. These findings were indicative of a serious muscle disorder, including rhabdomyolysis, a rare and potentially life-threatening condition that causes muscle breakdown and releases harmful substances into the bloodstream.

Despite these red flags, doctors discharged Ryleigh without further investigation or a definitive diagnosis. Her parents, trusting medical advice, took her home, unaware of the danger that still lingered.

A Second Visit to the Hospital Comes Too Late

Three months later, Ryleigh began experiencing breathing difficulties. Alarmed, her parents rushed her back to the emergency room at Blackpool Victoria Hospital. Tragically, on November 8, 2021, she suffered a cardiac arrest and passed away.

Following her untimely death, a coroner’s inquest was conducted in Blackpool. District coroner Alan Wilson stated that multiple opportunities had been missed to investigate Ryleigh’s mobility issues before her discharge in August 2021. He highlighted that a proper medical assessment and referral to a neuromuscular specialist could have led to a correct diagnosis and potentially life-saving treatment.

A Preventable Tragedy

Medical negligence attorney Diane Rostron, representing Ryleigh’s parents, emphasized that the hospital had been advised by specialists in Leeds to seek input from a neuromuscular expert. Had this recommendation been followed, Ryleigh’s rhabdomyolysis could have been diagnosed, and a treatment plan put in place to manage any future flare-ups.

“If the hospital had consulted a neuromuscular specialist as advised, they could have identified rhabdomyolysis and informed Ryleigh’s parents about how to manage the condition,” Rostron explained. “This crucial information could have given them the chance to act sooner, potentially saving her life.”

She also expressed frustration over the misleading reassurances given to Ryleigh’s parents. “Instead of being informed about her condition and given guidance on managing rhabdomyolysis, they were simply told she would recover on her own.”

As a result, Rostron and her legal team have initiated a medical malpractice claim, arguing that Ryleigh’s death was avoidable.

Parents Struggle for Justice

Ryleigh’s parents, Andy Hillcoat and Caroline Bee, shared their heartbreak over their daughter’s passing and the painful journey to uncover the truth. “It has been an exhausting, difficult, and emotional process just to ensure that Ryleigh’s death was thoroughly investigated,” they said.

Despite compelling evidence that Ryleigh’s condition in August 2021 could have been effectively managed, they remain devastated by the coroner’s findings. “We firmly believe that Ryleigh should be here with us today, but she was never given that chance.”

Hospital’s Response and Commitment to Change

Following the inquest, Chris Barben, president of Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, issued a statement offering condolences to the family and acknowledging the tragic circumstances.

“On behalf of everyone at the Trust, I want to extend my deepest sympathies to Ryleigh’s family and all those whose lives she touched,” he said. “While we understand that nothing can bring Ryleigh back, we take the coroner’s findings seriously and are committed to learning from this case to prevent similar tragedies in the future.”

A Community Rallies for Support

In the wake of Ryleigh’s passing, family members and friends came together to honor her memory and support grieving parents through charitable efforts. In 2022, Katie Hobbs, Ryleigh’s aunt, organized a fundraising event and participated in the Royal Parks Half Marathon to raise money for The Compassionate Friends, a charity dedicated to helping bereaved families.

“My sister-in-law Caroline and her partner Andrew’s daughter, Ryleigh, passed away suddenly and without warning last November,” Katie shared on a GoFundMe page. “Her loss devastated not only her parents but also everyone who knew and loved her.”

Describing Ryleigh as a joyful and radiant child, she added, “She was a little girl with a big smile who brought magic and happiness to everyone she met.”

Katie’s efforts helped raise over £3,000 for The Compassionate Friends. The charity provided vital support to Ryleigh’s grieving parents, including arranging a retreat where they could meet others who had experienced similar losses.

A Call for Accountability and Change

Ryleigh’s story serves as a painful reminder of the critical role that early and accurate medical diagnoses play in preventing tragedies. Her parents continue to seek justice, hoping that their loss will lead to improvements in medical protocols and prevent other families from suffering the same heartbreak.

As their legal battle continues, the memory of Ryleigh remains a beacon, urging hospitals and healthcare providers to be more diligent, listen to specialists, and prioritize patient safety above all else.