Alder Hey Hospital Accepts Full Responsibility for 24 Failures Leading to Toddler’s Death
Alder Hey Children’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has admitted 24 failures that contributed to the death of 21‑month‑old Eleanor Hazel Aldred‑Owen.
Eleanor Hazel Aldred‑Owen, 21 months old, died at Liverpool’s Alder Hey Hospital on 2 October 2023. A coroner concluded her death was a misadventure, contributed to by neglect.
She had undergone routine surgery for craniosynostosis on 29 September 2023. The operation proceeded as planned except that the breathing tube used during anaesthesia was accidentally removed and later replaced by the anaesthetist.
Her parents, Rachel and Chaz Aldred‑Owen from Mold, Flintshire, said they have lived with “unbearable” guilt and trauma. Chaz stated, Not knowing how or why Eleanor died was the key factor and what kept us going was justice for her. He added that the family was “fairly certain it was neglectful” but felt “at the mercy of what Alder Hey were telling us.”
The trust described the death as “tragic” and said it “should not have happened.” Chaz noted that the trust eventually “being compelled to admit gross neglect” was the hardest part for the family.
Eleanor’s parents continue to miss their “beautiful, much‑loved daughter” and stress that the “real victory is making sure what happened to Eleanor doesn’t happen to anyone else.”
