Children's Health Ireland Apologizes for Delayed Liver Cancer Diagnosis

Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) has issued an unreserved apology for the delay in diagnosing childhood liver cancer in Eveen Sheehy, a two-and-a-half-year-old girl who tragically passed away in December 2019. This acknowledgment comes as part of a settled legal action brought forth by Eveen’s family, who alleged multiple missed opportunities in the timely diagnosis and treatment of their daughter’s condition.

During a recent High Court session, counsel for the Sheehy family, Oonah Mc Crann SC, stated that Eveen’s case involved significant oversights in medical diagnosis that led to a substantial delay in initiating appropriate treatment. The family has been deeply affected by the loss, living with the trauma of what might have been, had the diagnosis been made earlier.

Eveen was born with a congenital heart defect and had undergone several hospitalizations and surgical procedures prior to her cancer diagnosis. According to Mc Crann, a CT scan conducted in February 2018, which included images of the child’s upper abdomen, was reportedly misread as normal. However, the images contained an abnormality in the liver that was not recognized. This oversight delayed a proper investigation and diagnosis, which only came in May 2019 following an MRI scan, by which point the cancer had progressed significantly.

In a heartfelt letter read to the court, Lucy Nugent, CEO of CHI, expressed deep regret for the delay in Eveen's diagnosis and acknowledged the profound impact of her death on the Sheehy family. Nugent stated, “We acknowledge and deeply regret the delay in Eveen’s diagnosis and again would like to express our deepest condolences on the loss of your daughter.”

The legal proceedings revealed that in October 2018, an enlarged liver was noted, but the necessary follow-up investigations were not conducted promptly. Had the abnormality been reported accurately in the February scan, it is contended that further diagnostic tests would have identified the cancer shortly thereafter, potentially altering the course of Eveen’s treatment and improving her chances of survival.

The legal case culminated in a settlement, including a statutory payment of €35,000 for mental distress, as approved by Mr. Justice Paul Coffey, who extended his condolences to Eveen’s parents, Ciaran and Sandra Sheehy, and her sibling, Brianna. The judge described the case as particularly tragic, highlighting the importance of timely medical care for young patients.

Eveen's case raises significant questions about the protocols in pediatric care and the necessity of accurate reporting in medical imaging. Experts in pediatric oncology have stressed the importance of vigilance in interpreting diagnostic scans, especially in young patients who may present with atypical symptoms. Dr. Emily Patel, a pediatric oncologist at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, remarked, “Early detection is critical in pediatric cancers; any delay can have devastating consequences.”

This incident is not an isolated case; it reflects broader systemic issues within healthcare settings regarding the management of pediatric cases. According to a report published by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) in 2022, delays in diagnosis can lead to worse outcomes for children suffering from cancer, underscoring the need for continuous training and quality assurance in healthcare practices.

As the Sheehy family seeks closure, this case serves as a poignant reminder of the essential nature of timely medical intervention and the devastating effects of diagnostic delays. It also highlights the ongoing need for healthcare institutions to prioritize patient safety and ensure that similar tragedies do not recur in the future.