HSE apologises over meningitis death of 39-year old father

The HSE has apologised in court to the family of a 39-year old father who died in hospital from meningitis.

Philip Morrissey was found slumped in his hospital bed having suffered cardiac arrest almost 10 hours after his wife was told he was suffering from constipation.

The apology was given in court yesterday as Mr Morrissey’s widow settled her action against the HSE for €455,000 over her husband’s death at St Luke’s Hospital, Kilkenny, on May 28, 2010, two days before his 40th birthday.

Emily Egan, counsel for the HSE, extended an apology on behalf of the HSE for the failures while Mr Morrissey was in the care of the HSE and also apologised to Mrs Morrissey and the extended Morrissey family for the tragic death of the young father. The Morrisseys have three children.

Mr Morrissey died from streptococcal pneumonia meningitis.

Approving the settlement, Mr Justice Michael Hanna said a “huge tragedy” had befallen the family and while money could never compensate it was the best the law could do.

Gail Morrissey, of Westfield, Outrath Road, Kilkenny, sued the HSE as a result of the death of her husband Philip, at St Luke’s. She claimed there was an alleged failure to consider streptococcal pneumonia meningitis and a failure to diagnose and treat it.

Mr Morrissey attended his GP with a high temperature, headache and earache on May 26, 2010. The next day, he was suffering from severe vomiting. His doctor referred him to St Luke’s .

arrived at the hospital, he was still complaining of a headache had a high temperature and pulse rate and complained of intolerance to light. All of the symptoms, it is claimed, were reported to the doctor there.

It was claimed antibiotics were not given and Mr Morrissey continued to be disorientated and sat slumped in a wheelchair waiting for an X-ray.

It is claimed at 8.20pm, almost six hours after being admitted to the hospital, Mr Morrissey remained disorientated and appeared drowsy. It was also alleged Mrs Morrissey was told this was because her husband was vomiting and had diarrhoea and was suffering from constipation.

It was alleged no doctor attended and or treated Mr Morrissey between 3.40pm on May 27, 2010, and 6.05am on May 28, 2010, when he was found slumped in bed and had suffered cardiac arrest.

Mr Morrissey was pronounced dead at 6.40am.