Hospital apologises for failings in care to mother and unborn son who died

High Court reporters

A hospital has apologised in the High Court for the "failings in the care" of a 38-year-old woman who died along with her unborn son.

St Luke’s General Hospital, Kilkenny offered "sincere and heartfelt apologies" to Clive Corrigan, who had sued the HSE over the matter, and their extended family for the "devastating outcome and loss" of his wife Dorcas and his unborn son five years ago.

The apology was read to the court as Mr Corrigan, from Ballon, Co Carlow, settled an action over the death of his wife and unborn baby for a substantial sum.

An apology from the hospital manager read: "I would like to reassure you that lessons have been learned from these tragic events and to reiterate our apologies for the devastating outcome and loss for which we offer our deepest condolences to you and your family."

The family’s counsel, Liam Reidy SC, told the court there had been an "abject failure of care" in the case of mother of three and her unborn son, Bill.

He said it was their case that there equally was "an abject failure of communication" with Mr Corrigan.

Counsel said there was a "wait and see approach" by various doctors in the hospital, adding there was a "disgraceful lack of communication and empathy" for Mr Corrigan.

He said when Ms Corrigan was itted to St Luke’s Hospital, it was their case that she had sepsis which required urgent intervention.

Ms Corrigan was 28 weeks pregnant with her son when she was itted to St Luke’s Hospital on January 22nd, 2018, and transferred to the maternity unit.

She was having episodes of shaking, and after she was examined and had blood tests taken, it was decided she would get intravenous fluid to "kick-start" her kidneys.

There was talk of moving Ms Corrigan to a Dublin hospital, the court heard, but she was itted to St Luke’s Hospital coronary care unit.

It was claimed that on the morning of January 23rd, when there had been no from the hospital, Mr Corrigan rang his wife’s mobile which she answered.

She indicated there had been no improvement overnight, and, it is claimed, she was given to understand that wheels were being put in motion for a transfer to Dublin.

Ms Corrigan was finding it hard to talk and was receiving oxygen, and when Mr Corrigan rang the unit, he was told his wife was going to be moved to Dublin and that she was very sick.

Mr Corrigan attended the coronary care unit, it is claimed, but did not see his wife. It was further claimed that the only doctor who spoke to him at this stage was the doctor with the ICU ambulance which had arrived from Dublin for the transfer.

Mr Corrigan, it was claimed, was placed in a small room, and another doctor explained that the baby had no heartbeat. He was also told his wife had taken a turn for the worse.

Mr Corrigan remained in the waiting room and was told his wife had stabilised, but that she may not survive the journey to Dublin.

When he did see his wife, he held her hand, which was cold, and she later died of cardiac arrest.

Noting the settlement, Mr Justice Paul Coffey said it was a very sad and tragic case, extendeding his deepest sympathy to the Corrigan family.