A grieving mother has shared the devastating story of how her five-year-old daughter died just hours after being discharged from the hospital with a diagnosis of tonsillitis. Rachael Mincherton, from Hyde, Greater Manchester, took her daughter Lila Marsland to Tameside Hospital in December 2023 after the young girl began complaining of neck pain, a headache, and vomiting.
Concerned, Rachael, who was working as a nurse at the time, asked doctors if Lila could have meningitis, a potentially life-threatening inflammation of the membranes around the brain and spinal cord. Hospital staff diagnosed Lila with tonsillitis, prescribed oral antibiotics, and sent her home, Wales Online reports.
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Tragically, the next morning, Rachael awoke at around 9 am to discover that Lila was unresponsive. “When we arrived home from the hospital, I slept with Lila that night, and when I woke, she was unresponsive,” she said. “The paramedics arrived in minutes and did everything they could, but it was too late. At that moment, our family changed forever.”
In the wake of their unimaginable loss, Rachael and her partner Darren Marsland, 42, paid tribute to their daughter, remembering her as a vibrant, joyful child. “Lila was the most amazing and adorable little girl,” Rachael said. “She was a gentle soul who had many friends, and all the teachers at school thought the world of her. 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.”
Lila enjoyed dancing, cheerleading, and attending Rainbows. “I’d pick Lila up, and it would be half an hour to leave as she would be hugging all the teachers,” Rachael recalled. To honor Lila’s memory, the family launched a charity called Lila’s Light, which raises funds to support bereaved families. The initiative has already raised over £10,000 through community events, including a family fun day and a charity football match.
The money goes toward providing bereavement bags for siblings of children who have passed away. “No family thinks they’ll ever find themselves in this position,” said Rachael. “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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A formal eight-day inquest begins Tuesday, May 27, at Manchester South Coroner’s Court in Stockport. Preliminary findings indicate that meningitis bacteria were present in the fluid around Lila’s brain. The family, supported by specialist medical negligence solicitors at Irwin Mitchell, hopes the inquest will bring long-awaited answers.
“One of the hardest things is having so many unanswered questions about why Lila died,” Rachael said. “It’s something we need to do to establish answers for our girl.” Jack Bookey, representing the family, added: “Should any care issues be identified, it’s imperative that lessons are learned to enhance patient safety.”
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