Derry Daily
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Sport
  • Features
  • Courts
  • Business
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Jobs
Tuesday 16°CWednesday 19°C

Derry Daily Derry Daily Derry Daily

  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Sport
  • Features
  • Courts
  • Business
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Jobs
HealthNews

Family of Raychel Ferguson reject Trust apology over her death

written by John March 16, 2018
ShareTweet

Raychel Ferguson who died in Belfast hospital after being transferred from Altnagelvin hospital

THE brother of Raychel Ferguson who died from hyponatremia has described a health trust’s apology as one of “shame and guilt”.

The nine-year-old girl Derry died in 2001.

Following an inquiry into the deaths of five children led by Mr Justice O’Hara, including Raychel in hospitals in North of Ireland’s, the Western health trust “unreservedly” apologised to the family.

However, Jason Ferguson said he could not accept the trust’s apology.

He has told BBC Radio Foyle: “It is an apology of shame and guilt.

“I have heard how apologetic and sincerely sorry they are. But I reject that apology because it took them 13 years to admit liability for Raychel’s death.

“They should be ashamed of themselves because they contributed to our grief and pain as a family.”

Raychel died after being administered with a lethal dose of intravenous fluids, a day after an appendix operation at Altnagelvin Hospital.

The Hyponatraemia inquiry into the deaths of Raychel, Conor Mitchell, 15; Claire Roberts, nine, Adam Strain, four; and 17-month-old Lucy Crawford, in hospitals in Northern Ireland, was set up in 2004.

All the children apart from Conor Mitchell were found to have died from hyponatraemia-related conditions.

Hyponatraemia occurs when there is a shortage of sodium in the bloodstream.

The Belfast, Southern and Western health trusts said they “unreservedly apologise” to the five families.

The inquiry found that four of the children’s deaths were avoidable.

It found there was a “reluctance among clinicians to openly acknowledge failings” in the death of Raychel Ferguson and was heavily critical of the “self-regulating and unmonitored” health service.

Mr Ferguson said he has “very vivid memories” of his sister’s death and could not speak publically about it until now.

“I was only 7 – I couldn’t understand why everyone was crying,” he said.

“As a child it had a significant psychological impact on me. I could never ever talk about it.

“I understand now why we didn’t do a lot of things like go to the park – as a family every night we went to the grave, because that is where Raychel was,” he said.

The establishment of a duty of candour on medical professionals “to tell patients and their families about major failures in care and to give a full and honest explanation” was one of 96 recommendations made by the inquiry.

Mr Ferguson said making this duty a legal requirement- dubbed Raychel’s law – “will ensure no other family will have to go through what we had to.”

The BBC says it understands the Western Trust will meet with the Ferguson family shortly.

Meanwhile the General Medical Council (GMC) said they are currently reviewing the inquiry’s report to consider whether they “need to investigate any named doctors or take any further action.”

PSNI Detective Chief Superintendent Raymond Murray said police are “continuing to carefully assess the contents of the public enquiry report regarding hyponatremia and related issues before deciding what action needs to be taken.”

Family of Raychel Ferguson reject Trust apology over her death was last modified: March 17th, 2018 by John

Tags:
Family of Raychel Ferguson reject Trust apology over her deathHyponatremiaJason FergusonMR JUSTICE O'HARARaychel FergusonWESTERN TRUST
ShareTweet
John

LEAVE A COMMENT

You may also like

Feile 2025 unveil biggest programme of events

6 hours ago

Loughs Agency delivers extensive fisheries improvement works...

7 hours ago

Alcohol Forum Ireland seeks Finance Administrator/Bookkeeper for...

1 day ago

Motorcyclist seriously injured in Donegal collision

2 days ago

Council officially adopts Local Development Plan, LDP...

2 days ago

Second arrest made over 120 cannabis plant...

3 days ago

Charles Dooher murder bid: Man arrested in...

3 days ago

The LYCRA Company staff excited to continue...

3 days ago

Man arrested in Derry over murder bid...

4 days ago

Man to face Derry court over cannabis...

5 days ago

Keep in touch

Facebook Twitter Email

Features

  • Sun, sea, spectacular views, historical charm and fabulous food. Tunisia of course

    April 5, 2024
  • Magical trip to see Santa from Belfast

    December 20, 2023
  • DD Travel Feature: Cork’s amazing The Montenotte Hotel

    April 18, 2023
  • Derry cancer survivor Noeleen McMorris reveals importance of awareness

    July 25, 2022
  • Competition! Win tickets to Northern Ireland v England Women’s Euro 2022 match

    June 17, 2022

Courts

  • Woman charged over serious assault in Derry

    July 13, 2025
  • Man to face Derry court over cannabis plants seizure

    July 11, 2025
  • Man charged to court over Derry drugs seizure

    July 6, 2025
  • Drink-driver charged to court over Derry collision

    July 5, 2025
  • Derry priest faces seven more child sex charges

    July 4, 2025

Donegal Daily

    Read More

    • News
    • Sport
    • Courts
    • Jobs
    • Features
    • Business
    • Politics

    Information

    • Contact Us
    • About
    • Advertise WIth Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms & Conditions
    Derry Daily

    © 2025 Derry Daily. All rights reserved.


    Back To Top

    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkPrivacy policy