Midland Regional Hospital has publicly expressed regret for the lapses in care provided to a 25-year-old woman who was admitted after an incident involving a horse that led to her unfortunate demise five days later.
The apology was delivered to the High Court as the family of Bryonny Sainsbury settled five legal cases against the HSE. Bryonny, a hairdresser, suffered severe brain injuries during a stable accident on August 26, 2021, when her horse, under veterinary care, panicked and trapped her against a wall.
During the court proceedings, the family’s legal representatives described the situation as extremely distressing, emphasizing that Bryonny sustained catastrophic brain injuries while stuck against the stable wall due to the frightened horse.
The legal team highlighted a series of significant mistakes at Midland Regional Hospital, where Bryonny remained for three days before being transferred to Beaumont Hospital in Dublin.
Bryonny’s condition deteriorated at the hospital, with her family pleading for prompt assistance and transfer to the specialized facility in Dublin. However, the transfer was delayed, leading to the need for life support upon her arrival at Beaumont Hospital.
Tragically, Bryonny passed away on August 31, 2021, at Beaumont Hospital, devastating her family from Briskil, Newtownforbes, Co Longford. The family expressed that the belated apology was insufficient to ease their profound grief.
The HSE took responsibility for the case, settling the legal actions brought by Bryonny’s parents and brothers for nervous shock and wrongful death. The proceedings alleged a lack of proper care and timely treatment, ultimately resulting in Bryonny’s untimely death.
A coroner’s inquest classified her death as a medical misadventure. The hospital’s manager offered a written apology in court, recognizing the tragic loss suffered by Bryonny and her family.
The hospital accepted the recommendations from the System Analysis Review and assured the implementation of all proposed improvements.
Expressing heartfelt condolences, the hospital vowed to learn from the tragedy to enhance future care standards. The family reiterated that their pursuit of justice was not about financial compensation but about accountability and a genuine apology from the HSE.
They emphasized the need for real change and hoped that no other family would have to endure a similar ordeal at Midland Regional Hospital. They stressed that Bryonny’s memory should inspire tangible actions, not just words.