Brain-damaged child sues health board

A child with "devastating brain damage" and suffering from cerebral palsy has brought a High Court action for damages.

A child with "devastating brain damage" and suffering from cerebral palsy has brought a High Court action for damages.

The action alleges negligence in the circumstances of his birth at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda.

Three-years-old Jamie Casey is suing the North Eastern Health Board through his mother, Ms Susan Casey, of Balbriggan, Co Dublin.

Mr Justice Kearns heard that Jamie's mother gave birth to twin boys at the hospital on October 11th, 2000. Jamie was was born 32 minutes after his brother, Jack.

READ MORE

Outlining the case, Mr Denis McCullough SC, for Jamie, said the child had suffered devastating brain damage and would never lead a normal life. He was totally dependent on others.

He said it was particularly important that the second child be delivered as quickly as possible after the first twin because the cord could become entangled, counsel said. That was what happened in this case and it was due to incompetent management.

There were clear indications that Jamie had come under stress and staff should have intervened sooner, Mr McCullough added.

In breach of the hospital's own protocol, no doctor was present at the delivery of Jack, counsel said. If a doctor had been present, it would have been possible to intervene much sooner and Jamie would have been born much sooner, Mr McCullough argued.

There should have been a forceps liftout intervention and any obstetrician would have recognised that, he said. The protracted birth led to brain damage.

Denying the claims, the health board said it had complied with protocols in continuing to monitor the twins by electronic means and also by listening throughout the afternoon and up to the time of the birth.

Three midwives would say that a doctor was present at the delivery of the first and second twin. A doctor and a paediatrician were present for both births.

It was also contended that 30 minutes was within the normal parameters for the delivery of a second twin.

The hearing continues today.