Kiara Ainsworth, 13, was found dead in the bath at her home in Accrington last year as an inquest has heard that specialist epilepsy nurses had warned her family that showers were safer
A teenage girl with epilepsy was discovered dead in the bath at her home after specialist nurses advised her family that showers were safer, an inquest heard.
An “admin error” also resulted in Kiara Ainsworth’s GP failing to increase the dosage of her epilepsy medication, used to prevent seizures, in the months leading up to her tragic death at her Accrington home on April 27 last year, a coroner was informed.
An inquest into Kiara’s death commenced today Tuesday (April 21) at Preston Coroners’ Court, presided over by area coroner Emma Mather.
The court learned that Kiara, 13, was diagnosed with epilepsy approximately 14 months before she passed away.
At that time, she was under the care of the local authority but was returned to her mother Zara nine months before her death, the hearing was told.
As Kiara was still subject to a ‘Child In Need’ plan, social workers regularly visited the family home and her mum had mentioned during one appointment that she sometimes struggled to access Kiara’s medication due to having to travel to Blackburn to collect it, reports Lancs Live.
Despite this, the family’s assigned social worker did not list it as something they needed support for and Kiara’s mum did not request additional help, the inquest was told.
During the final visit three days before Kiara’s death, her social worker reported that she and her mum were ‘both doing well’, Jennifer Robertshaw, Lancashire County Council’s head of service for children in our care, told the inquest.
Ms Robertshaw was questioned about whether social workers had ever been informed that the shower at Kiara’s home was faulty.
“No,” she responded. “On the contrary, there is reference in the notes to a visit in September 2024 where Kiara’s brother refers to going for a shower. Not only is there no reference to the shower not working but there’s reference to the shower being used.”
Ms Robertshaw stated that social workers were never worried about Zara’s capacity to address her children’s health requirements.
“This was a parent who had made real significant change in her life following lots of significant challenges to the point that her children had been returned to her care,” Ms Robertshaw added.
“Zara’s engagement was excellent. She was always in attendance. The evidence showed us this was a parent who could meet the health needs her child had.”
The inquest was told Kiara received support from a specialist epilepsy nurse who had discussed with the family the risks of bathing due to the possibility of suffering a seizure and drowning.
Alison Ball said: “We say have a shower rather than a bath and to have doors that open outwards or a sliding door so someone doesn’t end up stuck behind the door. We advise a very shallow bath and have someone present but we know that teenagers want their privacy.”
The inquest also heard from Dr Adnan Akram of the Peel House Medical Practice in Accrington, where Kiara was a patient. The surgery had received a letter from Kiara’s consultant in November 2024 requesting an increase in her dose of the anti-seizure medication levetiracetam.
“The letter was received on November 27,” stated Dr Akram. “We receive around 1,000 letters a week and not all are read by a clinician.
“In this case an admin error occurred. A staff member assumed the medication was being issued by the hospital and that there was no action required by the GP. The dose was not amended.”
The inquest is expected to last two days.
Kiara’s stepdad, Hayden Maher, paid tribute to her following her death.
He posted on Facebook: “Kiara touched so many lives, and through her everlasting tribute page, we celebrate Kiara and share so many beautiful, happy and loving memories we’ll hold forever in our hearts.”
In a separate Facebook post, Christine Houghton said: “On behalf of Zara, Hayden, Adrian and all of our family and friends we’d like to say how much we appreciate all your kind words, condolences and gestures of support while we grieve the loss of Kiara.
“She was the most beautiful and kind, fun and sassy 13 year old girl you could hope to meet and has left a huge hole in our hearts.
“We now know that Kiara tragically passed due to an epileptic episode which has left us heartbroken.”
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