Some children light up a room \u2014 five-year-old Lila Marsland was one of them: joyful, full of life, and deeply loved.<\/p>\n
She had just started school and was still beaming from Christmas, proudly showing off her new bike. But instead of being remembered for her happiness, Lila became known for something no child should: preventable medical neglect.<\/p>\n
On December 27, 2023, during a family walk near Dovestone Reservoir, Lila began feeling unwell \u2014 headache, vomiting, and neck pain. Her mother Rachael Mincherton, a district nurse, suspected meningitis and took her to Tameside General Hospital, where she worked.<\/p>\n
Despite Rachael\u2019s concerns, Lila was discharged with a diagnosis of tonsillitis. Just hours later, Rachael found her daughter unresponsive. Lila died the next morning. A post-mortem confirmed pneumococcal meningitis.<\/p>\n
An inquest found her death was preventable and caused by medical neglect. \u201cHad Lila been admitted and given antibiotics within an hour, her death could have been prevented,\u201d the jury said.<\/p>\n
Rachael and Lila\u2019s father, Darren Marsland, never received a direct apology. \u201cThe first time we saw it was on the news,\u201d Rachael said.<\/p>\n
In her memory, the family started Lila\u2019s Light<\/strong>, a charity distributing bereavement bags to siblings of lost children. They’ve raised over $24,000, hoping to support grieving families \u2014 and prevent tragedies like Lila\u2019s from happening again.<\/p>\n \u201cShe was a special little girl,\u201d Rachael said. \u201cAnd we just want her back.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Some children light up a room \u2014 five-year-old Lila Marsland was one of them: joyful, full of life, and deeply loved. She had just started school and was still beaming from Christmas, proudly showing off her new bike. But instead of being remembered for her happiness, Lila became known for something no child should: preventable…<\/p>\n