Schoolgirl dies just hours after being discharged from hospital with 'tonsillitis'

Daily Record

23-05-2025

An inquest is due to be held into five-year-old Lila Marsland's death.
The mum of a young girl who tragically died just hours after being discharged from hospital has shared her heartbreaking ordeal.
Rachael Mincherton took her daughter Lila Marsland, five, to Tameside Hospital in Greater Manchester in December 2023 after she complained of neck pain and a headache, and had been vomiting.
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The 36-year-old nurse was concerned Lila had the potentially deadly condition meningitis. However, medics told her it was actually tonsillitis and prescribed antibiotics before discharging the youngster.
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Sadly, just a few hours after returning home, Rachael woke at around 9am to find her unresponsive, WalesOnline reports.
Speaking ahead of an inquest into Lila's death beginning on Tuesday, May 27, Rachael said: "When we arrived home from hospital, I slept with Lila that night and when I woke she was unresponsive. The paramedics arrived in minutes and did everything they could, but it was too late. At that moment our family changed forever."
Paying tribute to her daughter, she described her as "the most amazing and adorable little girl" who had a "zest for life".
She added: "Lila was the most amazing and adorable little girl. She was a gentle soul who had many friends and all the teachers at school thought the world of her.
"I'd pick Lila up and it would take half an hour to leave as she would be hugging all of the teachers. Lila played with her friends, loved dancing, cheerleading and Rainbows.
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"She had a zest for life and her entire future ahead of her. It breaks our hearts that she'll never get to make the most of life and fulfil her potential."
Since the tragedy, Rachael and her partner Darren Marsland, 42, have founded a charity called "Lila's Light", which aims to fundraise to provide hospitals with bereavement bags to give to children who have lost a sibling. So far, they have raised over £10,000 via events including a family fun day and a charity football match.
Rachael explained: 'No family thinks they'll ever find themselves in this position. It's almost impossible to put into words the feeling of loss our family faces every day and how Lila's death will remain with us forever.
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'We wouldn't wish what we're having to go through on anyone. However, fundraising is our way of trying to keep Lila's memory alive while also giving something back and helping other families who may need support.'
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The inquest at Manchester South Coroner's Court in Stockport is expected to last for eight days. An initial investigation into Lila's death showed she had signs of meningitis bacteria in the fluid around her brain.
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Her parents, who also have a 15-year-old daughter, Ava, hope the inquest will give them the "answers they deserve" and have instructed lawyers specialising in medical negligence.
Rachael said: "One of the hardest things to try and come to terms with is having so many unanswered questions about why Lila died. We know the inquest and listening to the evidence is going to be incredibly difficult, but it's something we need to do to establish answers for our girl."
Jack Bookey, the specialist lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, representing the family, said: 'Rachael and Darren remain devastated at losing their little girl so suddenly and tragically. Understandably, they have a number of questions and concerns over what happened to Lila and the events leading up to her death.
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'While nothing can make up for their devastating loss, the inquest is a major milestone in being able to provide Lila's loved ones with the answers they deserve. If during the course of the inquest any issues in Lila's care are identified, it's vital that lessons are learned to improve patient safety.'
The Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust, which operates Tameside Hospital, was contacted for comment.