‘Hospital systems fail’ patient with cancer

The family of a woman whose lung cancer was only detected after her death have accused the hospital where she died of “systems failure” and of dismissing their concerns during the woman’s final days.

An inquest into the death of Teresa Doyle, aged 50, from Marian Avenue in Carrick-on-Suir, Co Tipperary, heard she died from a rare form of lung cancer that can be difficult to detect, but her niece was told weeks before she died cancer was “not on the radar” .

Ms Doyle was admitted to South Tipperary General Hospital in Clonmel in May of 2007, with shortness of breath, vomiting, severe pains, inability to swallow, dehydration, and fainting. It was her third admission to the hospital since Apr 24.