In recent weeks, the family of 11-year-old Olivia Doyle learned the devastating news that their little girl is dying. They desperately want to bring Olivia home to be with her family for whatever time she has left but the high cost of nursing care means Olivia remains in Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin, where she is receiving palliative care.
Emma Donoghue with 11-year-old daughter Olivia.
Her mum, Emma Donoghue, explained that Olivia is stable enough to come home to Carrollstown, Trim, but they do not have the back-up care in place yet. Olivia needs round the clock care and specialised nursing care costs €25 per hour, which is €600 per day or €4,200 per week.
An application is currently being assessed by the HSE but, even if approved, this will only provide five hours’ care per day, Monday to Friday.
Fundraising is now underway to contribute towards the cost of care and help the family realise Olivia’s wish to be back home with her family.
Olivia has been fighting illness most of her life. She suffers global development delay and epilepsy which has caused her to lose her speech and sight. The epilepsy also caused her to suffer a stroke when she was three years-old and she also suffers from scoliosis, a curvature of the spine, and has had her spine fused.
She has nerve damage to her diaphragm and lungs, which is getting progressively worse, and she has been in and out of hospital regularly with pneumonia.
Emma explained they don’t know how long they will have Olivia for, it could be weeks or it could be months, but it their wish is to bring Olivia home to Trim for whatever time she has left.
“It is an ongoing battle. We are also trying to get the equipment we need organised. At the moment, Olivia is stable enough to come home but she can’t because I don’t have the back-up.
A fundraising walk took place in Trim last Sunday followed by a cake sale and other events are planned.
An eBay auction is currently underway for a guitar signed by Danny O’Donoghue from The Script. Emma is a therapeutic riding coach runs a horse riding centre at Old Road, Garlow Cross. A sponsored hack will take place from their yard on Sunday 2nd February. Six other yards are also organising hacks.
In a statement the HSE said its staff in the Trim primary care team have been liaising closely with Crumlin Hospital to identify the specific supplies necessary for the patient to return home. There was delay in receiving precise information, but this order has now been placed.
“The liaison nurse from the children’s disability team is carrying out the assessment for an appropriate home care package and is liaising with Crumlin Hospital in this regard,” the HSE added.
An account has been set up in Bank of Ireland for donations in the name of Olivia Doyle;
sort code 90-52-72 account number 96368386.
Source: Meath Chronicle
