Hospital Issues Formal Apology Over Care Failings in Tragic Horse Accident Case
A hospital has issued an unreserved apology for serious failings in the care provided to a young hairdresser who died five days after being crushed by her horse in a stable accident.
The apology from Midland Regional Hospital was presented to the High Court as the family of 25-year-old Bryonny Sainsbury reached a settlement in five separate legal actions against the Health Service Executive.
Catastrophic Injuries in Stable Accident
Bryonny Sainsbury sustained severe brain injuries on August 26, 2021, when her horse, which was being treated by a veterinarian, became startled and pinned her against a stable wall. The young woman from Briskil, Newtownforbes, County Longford, was rushed to Midland Regional Hospital in Mullingar following the horrific incident.
Family barrister Richard Kean SC, working alongside Esther Earley BL, described the case to the High Court as "incredibly distressing", explaining that Bryonny suffered catastrophic cerebral injuries when trapped by the frightened animal.
"Series of Egregious Errors" Alleged
The legal proceedings centred on what counsel described as a "series of egregious errors" at Midland Regional Hospital, where Bryonny remained for three days before being transferred to the specialist neurological unit at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin.
During those critical three days, Bryonny was reportedly "delusional, distressed and vomiting" while both she and her parents desperately begged medical staff for assistance and pleaded for an emergency transfer to the Dublin facility.
Counsel painted what he called an "appalling vista" where the young woman wasn't moved from the Mullingar hospital despite her deteriorating condition. By the time the transfer finally occurred, medical professionals determined it was tragically too late, requiring Bryonny to be placed on life support immediately upon arrival at Beaumont Hospital.
Family's Heartbreaking Loss
Bryonny Sainsbury succumbed to her injuries at Beaumont Hospital on August 31, 2021, leaving her family "shattered" with what they described as unbearable heartache. Her parents Alison and Chris, along with brothers Gregory and Arron, brought five legal actions for nervous shock and wrongful death against the HSE.
The family stated they felt the hospital's apology was "too little too late", coming after four years of prolonged legal proceedings that they said had only compounded their trauma and grief.
Hospital Accepts Liability and Findings
The Health Service Executive accepted full liability in the case, with hospital manager Margaret Kelleher presenting a written apology to the High Court that expressed the hospital's formal recognition of Bryonny's "devastating and tragic loss".
"We fully recognise the deep grief and enduring impact her passing has had on you, your wider family and all who cherished her," the apology stated. "On behalf of the hospital I extend a sincere and unreserved apology for the failures in the care provided to Bryonny during her time in our facility."
The hospital confirmed it fully accepted the findings and recommendations set out in a subsequent System Analysis Review, stating that a dedicated quality improvement team had been convened to implement all recommendations and that this work had now been completed.
Family Seeks Meaningful Change
Speaking outside the court, the Sainsbury family stressed that their legal action had never been about financial compensation, as no sum could ever replace their beloved Bryonny.
"We firmly believe that had those concerns been listened to and had Bryonny been transferred appropriately she would still be here today," the family stated, referring to their repeated pleas for an emergency transfer that they say were ignored by hospital staff.
The family's statement continued: "What we have sought and continue to seek is acknowledgement, accountability and an apology along with genuine acceptance of responsibility from the HSE."
They expressed hope that "the lessons repeatedly stated as having been learned will finally translate into real, lived change" and that future patients at Midland Regional Hospital would receive "the safe, compassionate and competent care they deserve."
"No other family should have to endure what we have endured," the statement concluded. "Bryonny was and will always be deeply loved. Her legacy must be more than words, it must be action."
Coroner's Findings and Judicial Response
A coroner's inquest had previously ruled Bryonny Sainsbury's death as medical misadventure. In the High Court, Mr Justice Coffey expressed his sympathy to Bryonny's relatives over their loss in what he described as a "heartbreaking tragedy."
The hospital's apology concluded with a commitment to learning from the tragedy: "We are profoundly sorry for the distress and devastation you have experienced and we remain committed to ensuring that the lessons learned from this tragedy continue to inform and strengthen the care we provide."
