HOSPITAL’S APOLOGY FOR FAILING TO TREAT WOMAN’S CANCER
Settlement ‘bittersweet’ for 35-yr-old mum Eileen
A HOSPITAL has offered “heartfelt apologies” to a 35-year-old woman with terminal cervical cancer for the failings in her care after she was referred for treatment.
As part of the settlement of her High Court damages claim against the HSE a letter of apology to Eileen Rushe was read out yesterday.
She had claimed there was an alleged failure to properly carefully and adequately assess or investigate her condition and an alleged failure to give or procure any adequate or sufficient or timely treatment to her following her referral for colposcopy in May 2017.
Mr Justice Kevin Cross was told that negligence was admitted in the case.
The details of the settlement are confidential.
The court heard Ms Rushe’s smear test in 2017 was read correctly as abnormal but the hospital failed to properly treat her with a certain procedure which would have been curative.
In the letter read to the court, the general manager of Louth County Hospital, Dundalk, on behalf of the Colposcopy Unit and hospital management offered “my most sincere apology to you for the failings which occurred while you were under our care”. The letter added: “I understand that this has had the most serious consequences for you and for that I wish to offer you and your family my heartfelt apologies.”
It said it appreciated that this has been a very difficult time for Ms Rushe and her family and it was hoped the resolution of the proceedings gives her some comfort.
Ms Rushe, who blogs about her cancer, said outside court the outcome of her legal action was “bittersweet “and the apology gave her and her family some closure and peace of mind.
She added: “Today’s result is ultimately the reason why I started this journey to allow me to focus on my fight against cancer and more importantly to
Louth County Hospital provide financial security for my son Seamus, 14.
“In 2017 my wonderful son Seamus lost his father John. That year our lives changed forever because of cancer and mistakes in my care.
“Screening programmes vaccines save lives I want to encourage everyone to participate in any screening programmes available to them and vaccinate their children, both boys and girls against HPV.
“No one has to go through cancer alone and I’m so
and grateful to my family, friends and community for the support, care, love and compassion.”
Ms Rushe also called on the Government to act now to alleviate the worst impacts of the Supreme Court judgement in the Ruth Morrissey case relating to providing for care for children and families left behind.
The court heard there was an alleged failure to diagnose or refer Ms Rushe to the appropriate specialist for the purpose of diagnosing cervical cancer and cytological cell changes went untreated until in December 2018 when she was diagnosed with Stage 3 invasive cervical cancer.
Ms Rushe it was claimed was deprived of the opportunity of timely and effective investigation, diagnosis, management and treatment of her condition.
Counsel told the court that as part of the settlement the right is reserved for Ms Rushe’s son Seamus to bring his own proceedings.
SUPPORT
I am so grateful to my family, friends and community EILEEN RUSHE YESTERDAY
Today’s result is why I started this journey STATEMENT OUTSIDE OF COURT