Harney pledge to paralysed mother

HEALTH Minister Mary Harney has said the State will do everything possible to help a paralysed mother forced to travel abroad for treatment.

Mary Harney gave the commitment to the father of Cork woman Catherine O’Leary during a private meeting at Cork University Hospital (CUH).

Catherine, 31, from Ballincollig in Co Cork, have been confined to a high-dependency bed in CUH since February, when she was left paralysed after surgery to remove a brain tumour. She suffered “locked-in syndrome”, which left her fully alert, awake and aware of what is going on around her, but unable to move or speak.

Doctors said she urgently needed treatment in the National Rehabilitation Centre in Dublin but none was available. Catherine is now hoping to travel to England for treatment next week after being offered a place at a specialist hospital in Putney, near London.

Ms Harney departed from her tour of CUH on Monday and agreed to meet Catherine’s father, Pat, to discuss his daughter’s case.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) is still looking at the Putney treatment plan with a view to funding Catherine’s treatment costs.

Mr O’Leary said Ms Harney told him that the HSE is doing everything it can to ensure Catherine gets the best possible treatment.

He was reassured about the funding issue. “She said the funding is there and everything is in place.”

Ms Harney later visited Catherine in her ward.

Donations for Catherine’s long-term can be made to the Catherine O’Leary Fund, Permanent TSB, North Main Street, Cork, A/C: 12536790;

Sort Code: 99-07-07.