Patient in vegetative state ‘after chemo’

A woman was allegedly put on chemotherapy treatment for cancer by a nurse despite her insistence she should be seen by a doctor first, the High Court heard.

Pauline Carroll, 65, is now in a permanent vegetative state after suffering a heart attack and subsequent brain damage following the chemotherapy session which should not have gone ahead, it was claimed.

Yesterday, she secured €975,000 in settlement of her action for damages against the HSE over the treatment at Midlands Regional Hospital, Tullamore, Co Offaly, in 2010. The HSE also agreed to provide an indemnity for as long as she lives for her care in a nursing home, where she now lives.