A hospital has issued a sincere apology for the shortcomings in care provided to a 25-year-old woman who was admitted after an accident involving a horse, leading to her tragic death five days later.
The apology from Midland Regional Hospital was made public during a settlement reached in five legal cases against the HSE by Bryonny Sainsbury’s family. Bryonny, a hairdresser, suffered a severe brain injury in an incident at a stable on August 26, 2021 when her horse, under veterinary care, startled and crushed her against a wall.
Representatives of the family, Richard Kean SC and Esther Earley BL, described the situation in court as extremely distressing. They highlighted the catastrophic brain injuries Bryonny sustained while trapped by the frightened horse against the stable wall.
The legal team emphasized a series of serious mistakes at Midland Regional Hospital, where Bryonny spent three days before being transferred to Beaumont Hospital in Dublin.
During her time at the hospital, Bryonny was reportedly in a delusional and distressed state, with her family pleading for urgent help. Despite their appeals, she was not moved to the specialist Dublin facility promptly. By the time the transfer happened, it was too late, and she had to be put on life support at Beaumont Hospital.
Tragically, Bryonny passed away on August 31, 2021, at Beaumont Hospital. Her family expressed deep sorrow, feeling that the apology came belatedly and could not ease their pain.
The HSE accepted responsibility in the case, settling the legal actions brought by Bryonny’s parents and brothers for nervous shock and wrongful death.
Allegations in the legal proceedings indicated that Bryonny did not receive proper care and timely treatment, contributing to her death. It was claimed that her condition deteriorated while at Midland Regional Hospital, and concerns raised by family members were allegedly disregarded.
A coroner’s inquest concluded her death as a medical misadventure. The hospital manager presented a written apology to the court, acknowledging the devastating loss suffered by Bryonny and her family.
The hospital fully accepted the conclusions and recommendations outlined in the System Analysis Review. A quality improvement team was established to implement these recommendations, a process now completed.
Expressing condolences to Bryonny’s family, the hospital reiterated its commitment to using the lessons from this tragedy to enhance the quality of care provided.
In court, Mr. Justice Coffey extended sympathy to Bryonny’s relatives, recognizing the heartbreaking nature of the incident. The family clarified that their legal action was not about financial compensation but seeking acknowledgment, accountability, and a genuine apology from the HSE.
The family hoped that the lessons learned would lead to tangible changes in hospital procedures and that future patients would receive the safe and compassionate care they deserve. They emphasized the need for real, actionable changes to prevent others from enduring similar suffering.
In conclusion, the family emphasized that Bryonny’s memory must be honored with concrete actions, not just words.