‘Aggressive’ cancer went undiagnosed for nine months
Sharon McEneaney, of Magheracloone, Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan, died in 2009 from a tumour which the High Court heard was particularly virulent and aggressive.
The crèche manager had visited Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, on several occasions from October 2007 but was only diagnosed in July 2008, Ms Justice Mary Irvine was told.
Yesterday, the McEneaney family appealed to the HSE to implement the six outstanding recommendations out of the 38 that followed a HSE review after the death.
“We hope the lessons from this case will be learned by the hospital and all involved in the health services and that no other family will have a similar experience to ours,” they said.
In a statement outside the High Court, Sharon’s sister Sinead, on behalf of the family, said they welcomed the ruling of the settlement and the apology. “Sharon was a beloved daughter, sister, and friend,” she said. “She is sorely missed by her family and a wide circle of friends.”
Liam Reidy SC said Ms McEneaney had been referred to the hospital three times between October and November 2007. She first went to the hospital in October 2007 with abdominal pain. She underwent surgery in November 2007 but no biopsy was carried out. After cancer was diagnosed in July 2008 she was referred to Beaumont Hospital, but counsel said it was too late. She had six courses of chemotherapy but died on April 15, 2009.
In an apology read to the court, Margaret Swords, general manager of the Louth/Meath Hospital Group, on behalf of the HSE and Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, apologised for shortcoming in the management and care of Ms McEneaney at the Co Louth hospital.
“As a hospital and an organisation we fully accept that we failed Sharon but from our progress in making the changes required you will see we are making the hospital safer for our patients,” the statement said.
Ms Justice Mary Irvine was told that two actions by Sharon’s family in relation to the death and an action for nervous shock had been settled for a total of €62,500. Sharon’s sister Tanya had sued HSE as a result of the medical care her sister received and nervous shock over her death.
