Asthma Struggle: Teen Dies After Four-Year Wait for Consultant, Inquest Reveals

Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) has issued an apology following the tragic death of 15-year-old Killian Burnett from Finglas, Dublin. Killian suffered from severe asthma and passed away after a long wait for specialized care. His wait spanned over four years, which included multiple canceled appointments with a respiratory medicine consultant.

A Timeline of Care and Delays

Killian’s journey to receive proper medical attention began with his first referral in December 2017. The teenager experienced a series of medical misadventures, which ultimately culminated in his death on March 22, 2022, at Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown.

• Dec 2017: First referral for respiratory consultation.
• March 2022: Killian died following a severe asthma attack.
• Cancellation of Appointments: Four appointments scheduled were canceled.

At an inquest held at Dublin Coroner’s Court, Coroner Clare Keane recorded a verdict of death due to medical misadventure. She pointed out the “missed opportunities” in managing Killian’s unstable condition.

Critical Medical Incidents

Evidence presented at the inquest highlighted serious lapses in Killian’s care. In the months leading up to his death, he was discharged home from the emergency department five times after being brought in by ambulance. On two occasions, he had lost consciousness before being sent home.

On the day of his death, Killian’s father, David Burnett, recalled a frantic morning when he was alerted to his son’s breathing struggles. Killian’s final words were a desperate plea for help, which his father is haunted by daily.

Apologies and Acknowledgements

Michael Riordan, CHI’s clinical director for medical specialties, offered an unreserved apology for the acknowledged shortcomings in Killian’s care. The organization has since circulated a serious incident report to all respiratory consultants and merged waiting lists across CHI hospitals to prioritize clinical needs.

Dr. Riordan mentioned that no patients currently wait more than two years on the respiratory list, and CHI is reviewing its management of referrals to ensure timely consultations.

System Improvements

As part of the response to this tragedy, CHI is examining potential upgrades to its IT systems. These changes aim to alert medical staff of children with multiple hospital visits for asthma and other serious ailments.

Despite the efforts to improve services, Killian’s classification as a “routine” case meant that he faced extensive waiting periods. Many patients labeled as “semi-urgent” still faced significant delays for specialist consultations.

Family’s Tribute

Killian’s family expressed their sorrow and frustration at the inquest. His brother, Jordan Burnett, shared poignant memories of Killian, stating he was a “bright, funny, loving boy” who deserved a chance to live a full life. This tragedy serves as a reminder of the urgent need for improvements in pediatric healthcare access, especially for chronic conditions like asthma.