Alder Hey said it ‘took full responsibility' for the events that led to Eleanor's tragic and needless death at Alder Hey Children's Hospital on 2 October 2023.

The trust said: ‘The shocking loss of Eleanor has left a permanent mark on us all – we are heartbroken that we failed Eleanor and her family and we want to make sure that such a tragedy does not happen again.'

Eleanor, who was diagnosed with Bicoronal Craniosynostosis, developed a pneumothorax after routine fronto-orbital remodelling surgery.

An investigation found delays in imaging, recognising, escalating and treatment of the pneumothorax led to Eleanor's death.

Alder Hey said it had taken a number of measures to improve safety systems when a child's condition deteriorates, including:

• significant re organisation of out of hours senior medical cover both on the wards and in the main high dependency unit to allow for more timely assessment and management of deteriorating patients
• development of a formal standard operating policy for escalation and discharge in the theatre recovery area
• a clear escalation process within radiology for when an X-ray detects grossly abnormal and/or time critical findings by the radiography team
• prescribing, application and staff training in relation to oxygen, including high flow oxygen, to ensure that policies are embedded in all clinical areas, are fully understood and adhered to.