Hyde Family’s Heartbreak As Five-Year-Old Girl Dies Hours After Being Diagnosed With Tonsilitis And Sent Home From Hospital

Parents Ask Medical Negligence Lawyers To Support Them Through Inquest And Establish Answers.

The family of a five-year-old girl who died hours after being diagnosed with tonsilitis and sent home from hospital have revealed their devastation  - and asked lawyers to secure answers.

Lila Marsland was found unresponsive in bed by her mum Rachael Mincherton on 28 December, 2023. Emergency services were called to the family home in Hyde, Greater Manchester. However, Lila was pronounced dead shortly afterwards, just two weeks before her sixth birthday.

Hours earlier the youngster had been sent home from Tameside Hospital. Rachael had taken her to hospital at about 5pm the previous day after Lila started complaining of neck pain and a headache. She had also vomited.

Rachael, who was a nurse at Tameside Hospital at the time, queried whether Lila could have meningitis. An advanced nurse practitioner suspected tonsilitis. However, Rachael was told blood tests would be taken.

Lila was given oral antibiotics and admitted to a paediatric assessment ward. Following further tests, the Flowery Field Primary School pupil was diagnosed with tonsilitis and sent home at around 2.40am on 28 December.

Rachael, who slept in the same bed as Lila because of her condition, awoke at around 9am to find her daughter unresponsive.

Following Lila’s death, her parents, Rachael, aged 36, and Darren Marsland, aged 42, instructed specialist medical negligence lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to help establish answers and support them through the inquest process.

Initial investigations indicated that Lila had signs of the bacteria indicative of meningitis in fluid surrounding her brain, an investigation report by Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the hospital, said.

Rachael and Darren, who also have a 15-year-old daughter, Ava, are hoping an upcoming inquest examining how Lila died, and which is set to establish a cause of death, will provide them with the “answers they deserve.

Lila with her mum and sister.

Jack Bookey, the expert medical negligence lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing the family said: “Rachael and Darren remain devastated at losing their little girl so suddenly and tragically. Understandably they have a number of questions and concerns over what happened to Lila and the events leading up to her death.

“While nothing can make up for their devastating loss, the inquest is a major milestone in being able to provide Lila’s loved ones with the answers they deserve.

“If, during the course of the inquest any issues in Lila’s care are identified, it’s vital that lessons are learned to improve patient safety.”

Rachael said: “When we arrived home from hospital, I slept with Lila that night and when I woke she was unresponsive

“The paramedics arrived in minutes and did everything they could, but it was too late. At that moment our family changed forever.

“Lila was the most amazing and adorable little girl. She was a gentle soul who had many friends and all the teachers at school thought the world of her. I’d pick Lila up and it would take half an hour to leave as she would be hugging all of the teachers.

“Lila played with her friends, loved dancing, cheerleading and Rainbows. She had a zest for life and her entire future ahead of her. It breaks our hearts that she’ll never get to make the most of life and fulfil her potential. 

“One of the hardest things to try and come to terms with is having so many unanswered questions about why Lila died.

“We know the inquest and listening to the evidence is going to be incredibly difficult but it’s something we need to do to establish answers for our girl.”

Since Lila’s death the family have set up the charitable organisation Lila’s Light. Relatives and well-wishers are raising money to provide hospitals with bereavement bags for siblings who have lost a brother or sister. The bags contain memorial items as well as advice on support available to try and cope with their loss.  

So far more than £10,000 has been raised through a variety of fundraisers including a family fun day and charity football match.

Rachael said: “No family thinks they’ll ever find themselves in this position. It’s almost impossible to put into words the feeling of loss our family faces every day and how Lila’s death will remain with us forever.

“We wouldn’t wish what we’re having to go through on anyone. However, fundraising is our way of trying keeping Lila’s memory alive while also giving  something back and help other families who may need support.” 

An inquest into Lila’s death is due to take place at Manchester South Coroner’s Court in Stockport starting on Tuesday, 27 May. It is expected to last up to eight days.

More information on Lila’s Light can be found on the group’s Facebook and Instagram pages.

A Tameside and Glossop Intergrated Care NHS Foundation Trust spokesperson said: “We want to express our sincere condolences to Lila's family for this tragic loss.  

“As the inquest is yet to be heard, and a conclusion is yet to be reached, we cannot comment further at this stage.”