Hospital apologises for failings in care to mother and unborn son who died
St Luke’s General Hospital, Kilkenny, offered 'sincere and heartfelt apologies' to Clive Corrigan and extended family for the 'devastating outcome and loss' of his wife Dorcas and his unborn son Bill five years ago. Picture: Denis Minihane
A hospital has apologised in the High Court for the “failings in the care” of a 38-year-old woman who died along with her unborn son.
St Luke’s General Hospital, Kilkenny, offered “sincere and heartfelt apologies” to Clive Corrigan and extended family for the “devastating outcome and loss” of his wife Dorcas and his unborn son Bill five years ago.
The apology was read to the court as Mr Corrigan, from Ballon, Co Carlow, settled for a substantial sum an action over the death of his wife and unborn baby.
In the apology from the hospital manager, it added: “ I would like to reassure you that lessons have been learned from these tragic events and to reiterate our apologies for the devastating outcome and loss, for which we offer our deepest condolences to you and your family.”
The family’s counsel Liam Reidy SC told the court there had been an “abject failure of care” in the case of mother of three Dorcas Corrigan and her unborn son, Bill.
He said it was their case that there equally was “an abject failure of communication" with her husband Clive Corrigan.
Counsel said there was a “wait-and-see approach” by various doctors in the hospital and he added there was a “disgraceful lack of communication and empathy” for Mr Corrigan.
He said when Ms Corrigan was admitted to St Luke’s Hospital it was their case that she had sepsis and it required urgent intervention.
Clive Corrigan from Ballon, Co Carlow, had sued the HSE.
Ms Corrigan, who already had three daughters, was 28 weeks' pregnant with her son when she was admitted to St Luke’s Hospital on January 22, 2018, and transferred to the maternity unit.
Ms Corrigan, who was having episodes of shaking, was examined and blood tests taken and it was decided she would get intravenous fluid to “kick start" her kidneys.
There was talk of moving Ms Corrigan to a Dublin hospital but she was admitted to St Luke’s Hospital coronary care unit. It was claimed that on the morning of January 23 when there had been no contact from the hospital, Mr Corrigan rang his wife’s mobile and she answered it.
She indicated there had been no improvement overnight and it is claimed she was given to understand that wheels were being put in motion to transfer to Dublin.
Ms Corrigan was finding it hard to talk and was receiving oxygen. When Mr Corrigan rang the unit he was told his wife was going to be moved to Dublin and she was very sick.
Mr Corrigan attended the coronary care unit, it is claimed, but did not see his wife and it was claimed the only doctor who spoke to him at this stage was the doctor with the ICU ambulance which had arrived from Dublin for the transfer.
Mr Corrigan, it was claimed, was placed in a small room and another doctor explained that the baby had no heartbeat. He was also told his wife had taken a turn for the worse. He remained in a waiting room and was told his wife was stabilised but she may not survive the journey to Dublin.
When he did see his wife, he held her hand, which was cold, and she later died of cardiac arrest.
Noting the settlement, Mr Justice Paul Coffey said it was a very sad and tragic case and he extended his deepest sympathy to the Corrigan family.
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