Missed Opportunities Led to Tragic Loss: Ryleigh’s Story

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In a heart-wrenching tragedy, three-year-old Ryleigh Hillcoat-Bee passed away three months after being sent home from the hospital. It was later discovered that doctors failed to diagnose her with a rare illness, resulting in devastating consequences for her and her family.

Ryleigh fell ill while on vacation with her family in North Wales, prompting her parents to rush her to the hospital. However, the medical staff overlooked crucial signs in her blood that indicated a potentially serious muscle problem called rhabdomyolysis. Despite these warning signs, Ryleigh was discharged without the necessary intervention.

It wasn’t until three months later, when Ryleigh began experiencing difficulty breathing, that her parents, Caroline and Andrew, hurriedly took her back to the hospital. Tragically, she suffered a heart attack and passed away on November 8, 2021, at Blackpool Victoria Hospital.

During the subsequent inquest, area coroner Alan Wilson emphasized several missed opportunities to investigate Ryleigh’s condition prior to her initial release. Diane Rostron, a medical negligence lawyer, pointed out that the hospital had received clear advice from colleagues to seek guidance from a neuromuscular expert. If the hospital had followed this advice, they could have diagnosed rhabdomyolysis and obtained advice on managing flare-ups. This vital information would have made a significant difference in Ryleigh’s treatment and empowered her parents to effectively navigate her condition.

Caroline and Andy, Ryleigh’s devastated parents, firmly believe that their daughter’s passing could have been prevented. They expressed their profound sorrow and their determination to ensure a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding her untimely demise. They firmly believe that Ryleigh should still be alive today if the hospital had provided appropriate care.

Chris Barben, President of Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, extended his deepest condolences to Ryleigh’s family and all those affected by this tragedy. The Trust is fully committed to carefully considering the Coroner’s findings and implementing measures to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.

Caroline’s sister-in-law, Katie Hobbs, organized a charity event and participated in the Royal Parks Half Marathon in 2022 to raise funds for The Compassionate Friends. This organization provided invaluable support to Ryleigh’s parents during the most difficult time of their lives.

Katie paid a heartfelt tribute to Ryleigh, describing her as a charismatic little girl with an infectious smile who brought joy to everyone she encountered. The compassionate efforts of The Compassionate Friends helped Ryleigh’s parents connect with other bereaved families and offered them solace through a retreat, enabling them to share their grief with others who understood their pain.

In memory of Ryleigh, let us learn from this heartbreaking incident and work towards ensuring that no other child and family experience such a devastating loss due to missed opportunities.