HSE boss won't allow hospital staff to be tried by social media over death of teenage girl

The CEO of the Health Service Executive says he won't allow management and staff at one of the busiest hospitals in the country to be tried by social media over the death of a 16-year-old girl.

Aoife Johnston, from Shannon in Co. Clare (pictured below), passed away after a 12-hour wait in the UHL emergency department on December 19, 2022, having been diagnosed with bacterial meningitis and sepsis.

Serious failings were identified in an internal review of the events leading to her death and retired Chief Justice, Mr Justice Frank Clarke, has now been commissioned to carry out an independent investigation.

Speaking publicly about the case for the first time, Bernard Gloster, chief executive officer of the HSE, said there were "significant factors of serious failing that had the most catastrophic outcome and consequences" which is why he has asked Mr Justice Clarke to carry out an investigation.

In an interview on RTÉ radio this Sunday lunchtime, he said: "This is a very tragic and complex matter, that's why I have asked for, and he has agreed, Mr Justice Frank Clarke to assist me."

Mr Gloster says he will take whatever action is appropriate once he receives the findings of the investigation which is expected to be completed in around eight weeks.

"Based on what he tells me and everything else, I have then to determine whether or not other processes follow from that.  I can't engage in speculation or presumption around that but I do want to say, and it's important, there has been no finding against any individual at the moment and I think it's very important that where there is accountability people can be absolutely assured I will discharge that but, equally, I will not commit my staff to trial by social media or the summary justice of populism," he said.

Mr Gloster, who took over as chief executive officer of the HSE in March of last year, told the This Week programme that "everything is on the table" but that foremost in his thoughts is Aoife Johnston and her family and "doing appropriate justice" over the failure that led to her death.

"I do want to express my profound regret and sincere apology to them for what has happened to them. There is nothing I can say that can take away the pain and grief that they must be experiencing and it is just so dreadfully  tragic and I do sincerely want to apologise for that."

Mr Gloster has also confirmed that he hopes to meet with members of Aoife Johnston's family in the near future.