A heartbroken mum says her fight for justice is not over after the hospital where her daughter died admitted failings in her treatment.

Bosses at the QEQM in Margate have apologised to the family of six-year-old Maya Siek after their review found she died of sepsis two days after sending her home with tonsillitis.

A report looking into Maya’s death acknowledged she was “inappropriately discharged” and concluded with a commitment to learn lessons from the tragedy.

Magdalena Wisniewska, Maya’s mum and Raj Bande, her stepdad, have made repeated pleas for someone to take responsibility for their daughter’s death shortly before Christmas last year.

Magdalena, 26, said: “I feel even worse than I thought I would seeing the report. When I read it I felt angry, very angry.

“I’m her mother, of course I am going to fight for my daughter, for justice until the end of my life.

“I want them to lose their licences. If not then they should be suspended for at least a few years and they should only be allowed to come back once they have done further training and studying.”

So far the family’s battle for justice for their daughter has meant filing a formal complaint with the hospital trust but they are also preparing to present their case at the pre-inquest review into Maya’s death later this month.

The hospital’s report said: “Maya died suddenly and unexpectedly due to sepsis caused by influenza A, a rare but severe and often fatal condition.

“Maya was inappropriately discharged on the December 19, 2022 due to lack of senior clinical oversight, her case was not escalated to the consultant and there was a failure to acknowledge abnormal blood results.

“The paediatric team were not formally asked to review and assess Maya, therefore were unaware of the abnormal blood results which had not been recognised by the registrar.

“It appears the busyness of the department impacted the decision-making process.”

Maya was discharged with antibiotics despite collapsing twice and her mother insisting something was gravely wrong.

Two days later - having been readmitted to the QEQM - she died suddenly in her stepdad’s arms after her heart stopped beating.

A pathologist later ruled she had suffered acute myocardial necrosis - the death of heart cells - but was unable to establish the cause.

QEQM’s report confirms what a paediatric consultant who independently reviewed the case suspected, Maya’s death was triggered by sepsis.

The death of the “kind and helpful” youngster has shattered the lives of her loved ones and as well as the hospital’s own review is being investigated by the coroner and East Kent Hospitals Trust, which runs the QEQM.

Maya’s grief-stricken mother, Magdalena, says she has rarely left the house since losing her daughter on December 21 last year.

“We were just a happy family with plans and ambitions for our children's future,” said the 26-year-old, who also has a six-year-old son, Nathan.

“But we are not the same family anymore.

“We completely lost the will to live but we are here because we have to take care of another child, but our life is ruined and will never be the same again.”

The family were looking forward to Christmas at home when Maya fell ill on December 18 and was tired, weak and cold to touch, with no appetite.

Magdalena says clinical staff reassured them Maya’s symptoms were not cause for significant concern, even saying she should be fine to go home the following day.

All the while Magdalena was trying to raise concerns her daughter was behaving strangely and was reporting seeing things that were not there.

On December 21, after a sleepless night, Magdalena says she again raised concerns with staff about Maya’s shaky breathing, discoloured skin and disorientation.

But she claims she was told her daughter just needed a good rest, with staff reportedly taking Maya’s heart monitor off because they were concerned the beeping was preventing her from sleeping.

At 3pm, as staff attempted to take a blood sample while Maya was held by her stepdad, Raj Bande, her heart stopped beating.

Raj says he will never forget those harrowing moments.

“Maya took her last breath in my hands. I just can't get over it - I don't think I ever will.” he said.

“Nothing can bring us our daughter back and I know our lives will never be the same.

“As her stepdad I just feel guilty as I wish I could have done anything differently, as when I look back the red flags were there.”

Now the family have received the QEQM’s report they know the hospital did overlook the significance of the symptoms they raised concerns about, in particular Maya experiencing hallucinations.

While the hospital's review confirms they failed to pursue all possible treatment avenues it also makes it clear they “may not have altered the outcome for Maya”.

Jane Dickson, Chief Nursing Officer at East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust, said: “I am so sorry to Maya’s family for their loss.

“We are undertaking a thorough investigation into Maya’s care to assist us in providing answers to Maya's family as well as ensuring we know where we need to do things differently and ensure lessons are learnt.

“We will continue to work with and update Maya’s family as part of the investigation."

The date for the pre-inquest review into Maya’s death has been set for September 25.