Mother sent home from A&E dies from perforated bowel

A MOTHER-OF-ONE died from a perforated bowel after being initially sent home by doctors who told her she was suffering from food poisoning.

Green Party TD John Gormley has called on the Health Service Executive to investigate the woman’s death at Naas General Hospital, Co Kildare.

The woman, 43, believed to be from Wicklow, was first seen at the hospital’s A&E unit on September 3. She was told she probably had food poisoning and was given antibiotics.

The woman’s condition continued to deteriorate and she was in a great deal of pain.

When she returned to the hospital’s A&E department just over a week later it was discovered she had a perforated bowel. She died shortly afterwards.

Mr Gormley, who has raised the woman’s case with Health Minister Mary Harney, and the chief executive of the Health Service Executive (HSE) Prof Brendan Drumm, said the woman’s husband needed to know why she died.

He said the woman’s husband, who contacted him just over a week ago, did not want to be identified just yet because his grief was still “very raw”.

A HSE spokesperson said yesterday the health authority was in contact with the family and had agreed to carry out a clinical incident review.

It is understood the hospital has already spoken to the woman’s husband and that further talks are likely.

Mr Gormley said the husband was anxious to find out why her condition was not recognised sooner.

“It is a very disturbing and tragic case and I am hoping that the HSE will be co-operative,” said Mr Gormley.

Both Ms Harney and Prof Drumm have already indicated that they would do everything they could to help the woman’s husband.