A man who presented at the Mater Hospital in Dublin complaining of severe pain in his chest was discharged home but two days later was diagnosed at the same hospital as having had a heart attack, it was claimed at the High Court yesterday.
Mr Brian Hanrahan (64), who lived in Dublin in 1996 but now resides at Timothy Close, Bexley Heath, Kent, England, is suing the hospital for damages for alleged negligence in an action expected to last a number of days. The defence denies the claim.
Mr Hanrahan claims that on December 29th, 1996, he developed severe pain in his chest and left arm and presented at the hospital's accident and emergency department, where he was examined.
Despite suffering pain and limitation of movement, he was sent home.
On the following day, December 30th, 1996, it is claimed Mr Hanrahan again presented at the department with pains in his chest, profuse sweating and pains radiating to both arms. He was again discharged home.
He contends he was readmitted to the department on December 31st, 1996, where he was diagnosed as having sustained a heart attack.
Mr Hanrahan claims that on December 29th, 1996, he was diagnosed as having pulled a muscle or possible angina and told to report to his GP if the pain got worse.
It is claimed that Mr Hanrahan's GP sent him by ambulance to the hospital again, where he was diagnosed as having an ulcer and was discharged.
The pain became so intense that on December 31st, 1996, his GP again had him removed to hospital. He was distressed and in pain and felt as if he was going to die.
In evidence, Mr Hanrahan said that on January 3rd, 1997, he had undergone a number of medical procedures, including angioplasty. He was nine days in care and 13 days in hospital altogether before being discharged to a nursing home.
Mr Hanrahan, who worked with a security company in Dublin, said he later sold his house in Dublin and moved to England to be near his sons.
The hearing, before Mr Justice Johnson, continues.