A six-year-old girl has died of influenza at Northern Beaches hospital after being sent home twice from Sydney Children’s Hospital in Randwick. The New South Wales health minister, Ryan Park, expressed his condolences and said the parents “deserve answers”.
The girl first presented to the emergency department at Sydney Children’s Hospital on Monday and was discharged after a clinical assessment. She returned “shortly after” and was diagnosed with influenza, then discharged again with at-home guidance, according to a spokesperson for the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network (SCHN).
The girl was later admitted to Northern Beaches hospital, where she died on Tuesday. Police confirmed the death. The SCHN spokesperson expressed “deepest condolences” and said an initial review into the patient’s care at Randwick will be conducted, working with the Northern Sydney Local Health District as part of a joint independent clinical governance process.
Health Minister Ryan Park said he was “heartbroken” and wanted to understand how the tragedy occurred. He noted the matter has been referred to the coroner and is subject to a joint Serious Adverse Event Review. A Northern Beaches hospital spokesperson confirmed they will undertake appropriate investigations alongside SCHN.
The girl’s principal at St Luke’s Grammar School, Geoff Lancaster, described her as “bright, vivacious, kind and free-spirited”.
