Family questions early release from hospital

THE family of a woman who died from a massive infection, days after a major operation, yesterday questioned her release from hospital so soon after the procedure.

Maeve O’Donnell, 36, from Main Street, Buttevant, Co Cork, died in the Mercy University Hospital (MUH) in Cork on November 19, 2006, just five days after a high risk procedure to remove part of her thyroid through a 10cm incision in her neck.

MUH surgeons, Prof O’Sullivan and Mr Mayilone Arumugasmy, performed the operation on November 14. Post operative checks showed an elevated white blood cell count and a high temperature, indications of a possible infection. But Mr Mayilone said she did not show any other signs of infection, was otherwise well, and the decision was taken to discharge her on November 17.