A Queensland family is seeking answers after their newborn daughter was discharged from the hospital with respiratory difficulties — only to be discovered dead in her cot hours later.
“Lola got sick really quickly,” said her father, Matthew Winchcole.
On the afternoon of August 5, the 20-month-old began exhibiting symptoms at 2 p.m., becoming sluggish and vomiting regularly.
Her worried parents transported her to Beaudesert Hospital at 8 p.m. when she developed a fever.
Mum Toni Winchcole expressed worry to staff regarding Lola’s fast breathing.
Mum Toni Winchcole expressed worry to staff regarding Lola’s fast breathing.
“She didn’t seem too concerned about it,” Toni observed.
“We pretty much went straight through because we were the only people in the emergency room.”
Lola was released from the hospital about 10.30 p.m., but Toni claims the doctor did not address Lola’s breathing problems.
“He gave me the impression that he thought she would just recover from a general virus,” she explained.
Lola was given Panadol and nausea medicine, and her parents were instructed to keep her hydrated.
Lola, on the other hand, was restless when they came home, even in her parents’ bed.
“Her breathing was still quite raspy,” Toni commented.
Toni and Matthew were anxious, but after consulting with medical specialists, they were certain that she would be OK once the Panadol set in.
They returned Lola to her crib so she could relax, while Matthew carried a mattress into her room so he could sleep on the floor next to her.
The next morning, Matthew awoke to phone his mother and inform her that they no longer need her there.
When he returned to Lola’s room, he saw her face down in her cot.
“I ran in there, grabbed her, and screamed,” he explained.
Matthew dialed 911 and carried the youngster into the living room to receive medical assistance.
“She was just unresponsive,” Toni explained.
Matthew dialed 911 and carried the youngster into the living room to receive medical assistance.
Lola was transported to Logan Hospital, where she was treated for almost an hour until professionals informed them that there was nothing further they could do.
“It was awful,” Toni said. “You can’t even begin to describe it.”
Doctors informed Toni and Matthew that invasive group strep had been discovered in Lola’s blood.
“They said it’s quite common, and most people recover quickly,” Toni explained.
Lola’s cause of death is unknown, and the family is awaiting test results and the coroner’s report.
Toni stated that they were aware that something was amiss from the start, but they trusted the medical personnel.
“If you’re in the hospital and they want to discharge you and you don’t believe it’s fair… “Stay right there,” Matthew advised.
“You don’t want to come back home to this nightmare.”
Toni advised parents to “trust their instincts.”
Matthew told Beaudesert Hospital and Queensland Health, “Just do better.”
“They could have done a lot more,” he pointed out.
“They had failed Lola.”
The hospital is conducting an investigation, and Metro South Chief Executive Noelle Cridland stated, “We are looking into the care and treatment that was provided to this child.”
The parents are now grieving the loss of their “perfect” daughter.
“She was just really bright and bubbly,” Toni described her.
“I’m so overjoyed. She was always laughing and smiling.”
“She was the perfect kid,” Matthew remarked.