An inquest has opened into the death of a 'bubbly' and 'happy' little girl who died just two days after her first birthday.
Maddison Rose Patricia Halliday tragically died in Royal Manchester Children's Hospital on October 21 last year. She had been transferred there from North Manchester General Hospital.
Area Coroner Zak Golombek formally opened coronial proceedings into her death on Tuesday morning (June 27). Present at the brief hearing was Maddison's dad Josh Halliday.
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Police Coroners Officer Phillip Dawber confirmed Maddison was born on October 19 2021. The court heard how on October 20 last year, a day after she turned one, Maddison suffered an 'unresponsive episode' at home and was initially admitted to North Manchester General Hospital.
She was later transferred to the Paediatric Critical Care Unit at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, but died the next day.
On November 8, Police Coroners Officer Mr Dawber contacted parents Josh and Shannon Halliday who confirmed that on Maddison was a patient at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital and that they were by her side when she passed away.
In the brief hearing, Mr Golombek outlined that he had considered the post-mortem report by Dr Gemma Petts that offered a medical cause of death as multi-organ failure due to Meningococcal Septicaemia.
He also stated he had seen the clinical case review, carried out by Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, that 'highlights a number of failures in the care to Maddison'.
The Manchester Evening News previously reported on the findings from the clinical case review, that documented Maddison's tragic last hours and 'delays' in elements of her care.
Parents Josh Halliday and Shannon Rhodes, from Bury, are listed as interested persons in the proceedings, as well as the Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust.
Mr Golombek has requested further evidence from the hospital trust, including a witness statement from the treating clinician, along with a position statement addressing an 'issue of causation linked to issues identified in the clinical case review'.
Maddison's parents, Josh Holliday and Shannon Rhodes spoke last year to the Manchester Evening News of their heartache, days after they sat at her bedside as she passed away. They described the tot as 'amazing' and the 'happiest child' they had ever met.
"She was a bouncy child that followed us everywhere. She was very happy and content right from the beginning," they said.
"She was an absolute joy and loved dancing and singing. She was just amazing and was the happiest child we'd ever met."
A full inquest into her death will be held at Manchester Coroner's Court at a later date.
