Elderly woman on wait list for eight years contacted by HSE last month

In 2005, a 74-year-old woman in West Clare was put on a list to a see a specialist at the Mid-Western Regional Orthopaedic Hospital in Croom, Co Limerick.

The fingers on her left hand were gnarled and it was impossible for her to unfurl her hand fully. She was suffering from Dupuyten’s contracture, possibly caused by strokes or arthritis and couldn’t cook or take care of her basic needs. Her neighbours had to bring in her dinner and help out in the home.

Last month, her son, Rory O’Shea received a letter from the HSE asking if she still wanted to remain on this waiting list — eight years later.