East Belfast Mother Says Daughter’s Treatment Stalled Amid Eight-Month Health Ordeal

The mother of a six-year-old girl from East Belfast with a severe learning disability says she has been left “in limbo” over the future of her child’s medical care, following months of hospital visits and ongoing distress.

Kaia, who is autistic and nonverbal, has been struggling with severe constipation for eight months. She was first admitted to the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children the week before Easter and remained there for nine weeks — a period her mother, Rihannaa Gough, described as “nine weeks of hell.”

Following her discharge in mid-June, doctors had hoped that returning home would help ease Kaia’s stress and improve her condition. “They thought being at home would get her bowels moving, but she was still very distressed,” Rihannaa said. During this period, hospital teams tried enemas, suppositories, and medication mixed into drinks, but Kaia’s sensory sensitivities meant oral medication was not an option.

Kaia’s long stay in hospital also took an emotional toll. According to her mother, she now refuses to wear anything except her Princess Peach dress, believing “nobody can get at her” when she wears it.

Within four weeks of discharge, Kaia’s bowel had expanded from two centimetres to eight centimetres, prompting readmission. “She couldn’t eat, she couldn’t go to the toilet, and she was in absolute pain,” Rihannaa said. After an initial delay in readmitting her, Kaia spent another two weeks in hospital without a lasting solution.

A manual evacuation was attempted but failed because hardened waste higher in the bowel could not be reached. An NG tube was also tried but repeatedly removed by Kaia due to sensory discomfort. Doctors then discussed a PEG (feeding tube) or a stoma as possible next steps. However, a scheduled meeting with a surgeon did not take place, and Kaia was discharged with instructions to arrange an outpatient appointment.

During her hospital stay, Kaia developed a distressing misconception. “Because she was swollen, felt sick, and couldn’t eat, she became convinced she was pregnant,” Rihannaa explained. “She’s been putting things under her top, saying ‘baby,’ and watching videos about morning sickness. We tried to reassure her, but it just stressed her more.” A hospital psychologist reportedly dismissed the belief as “just a fantasy,” but Rihannaa remains concerned.

In response, a spokesperson for the Belfast Trust said:

“Belfast Trust apologises for the distress experienced by Kaia and her family. We understand the frustration and anxiety felt by families awaiting procedures, treatment or surgery. Kaia was discharged with medication to manage her condition, and we are working to expedite an appointment to assess her suitability for a PEG. Each case is reviewed continuously by the specialist team and prioritised based on clinical need and waiting time.”