Hospital apologises to family of pensioner who died of heart failure

Woman had twice been admitted to hospital prior to her death

The apology from Letterkenny University Hospital to the family of May Craig was read out in the High Court as her family settled an action over her death. File picture

A hospital has unreservedly apologised to the family of a woman who died of heart failure.

It said the standard of care during two admissions to the hospital before her death was not to the appropriate standard.

The apology from Letterkenny University Hospital to the family of May Craig was read out in the High Court as her family settled an action over her death.

Doireann O’Mahony, for the family, told the court that the settlement is without an admission of liability and the case was before the court for the division of the €35,000 statutory mental distress solatium payment only.

Ms O'Mahony said it was a sad and tragic case. Mrs Craig, a 76-year-old mother of seven and a grandmother, from Raphoe, Co Donegal, had attended the Letterkenny hospital twice before her death. 

She said there were alleged “repeated failures” in relation to the hospital visits.

In a letter to the family which was read to the court, manager Sean Murphy, on behalf of the hospital, expressed sincere condolences and apologised for “the devastating loss of May".

The letter states: “I wish to apologise unreservedly that the standard of care delivered to May during her admission in May and June 2022 was not to the standard that we believe would be appropriate. I deeply regret the sorrow and distress that this has caused you.” 

The letter continues: “I fully appreciate that nothing I nor the team here at Letterkenny University Hospital can say, in any way to make up for the tragic loss which you have experienced. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with you and your extended family.” 

Mrs Craig’s daughter, Elaine Devenney, Newtowncunningham, Co Donegal, had sued the HSE over the death of her mother.

Claim woman not properly treated

In the proceedings, it was claimed that in two admissions to Letterkenny University Hospital on May 19 and June 11, 2022, Mrs Craig was not properly or adequately investigated or treated. 

It was further claimed that on more than one occasion the opportunity to establish a correct diagnosis was missed and she was not appropriately treated as a result. The claims were denied.

The pensioner had been referred by her GP to Letterkenny University Hospital complaining of light headedness In May 2022. 

She was reviewed in hospital and light headedness and dizziness was noted. She had tests and was admitted to the hospital cardio care unit.

 Mrs Craig had a permanent pacemaker inserted on May 20, 2022 and was discharged from hospital on May 23, 2022.

Four days later, it was claimed Mrs Craig was referred by her GP again to the emergency  department at Letterkenny University Hospital. She was reviewed by a doctor and it was noted she had no chest pain or palpitations and it was claimed the impression was congestive cardiac failure.

It was claimed that Mrs Craig was seen by a junior doctor and pneumonia was diagnosed and she was prescribed antibiotics and discharged.

It was further claimed that on June 11, 2022, an ambulance was called to Mrs Craig’s home and she was brought to hospital where she was admitted with acute decompensated heart failure.

It was claimed that no bed was available in the cardiac care unit. On June 12, Mrs Craig suffered a cardiac arrest but she was resuscitated and brought to the intensive care unit. She was later declared dead.

Noting the settlement and the division of the solatium, Mr Justice Paul Coffy conveyed his deepest sympathy to Mrs Craig’s family.