Ryleigh Hillcoat-Bee, a vibrant three-year-old, passed away three months after being discharged from A&E despite showing symptoms of a rare muscle condition. Her parents, Caroline and Andrew, had taken her to the hospital while on vacation in North Wales.
Ryleigh’s signs pointed to rhabdomyolysis, a serious muscle problem, but she was sent home without a proper diagnosis. Three months later, her parents rushed her back to A&E due to breathing difficulties, and she tragically had a heart attack and passed away at Blackpool Victoria Hospital.
The coroner’s inquest revealed “missed opportunities” to diagnose Ryleigh’s condition, and a medical negligence lawyer, Diane Rostron, stated that specialist advice from a neuromuscular specialist could have led to a timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Ryleigh’s parents are heartbroken and believe her death could have been prevented. They have been fighting for a full investigation and plan to pursue a medical negligence claim. The hospital trust has offered condolences and promised to learn from the incident to prevent similar tragedies.
In memory of Ryleigh, her aunt, Katie Hobbs, raised over £3,000 for The Compassionate Friends charity, which supports bereaved parents. Ryleigh’s smile and joy will be deeply missed, and her family hopes that her story will lead to improved medical practices and better outcomes for others.
