The National Maternity Hospital has apologised in the High Court to the husband and family of a 31-year-old woman who died while undergoing treatment there five years ago.
The hospital also acknowledged it was negligent in the diagnosis and treatment of Mrs Geraldine Gleeson. After yesterday's hearing Mr John Gleeson (39), her husband, said: "It took them [the hospital] five years to say they were sorry."
The apology was part of the settlement terms of an action taken by Mr Gleeson, of Sherwood, Pollerton Road, Carlow, against the NMH, of Holles Street, Dublin. The other terms were not disclosed.
Mr Gleeson initiated proceedings following his wife's death at the NMH on August 4th, 1993, nine days after she was transferred there from Wexford General Hospital.
The settlement was announced to Mr Justice Quirke late yesterday following almost four hours of discussions between lawyers for both parties.
The case opened at the High Court on June 10th but was adjourned after counsel for the hospital submitted that the case as opened on behalf of Mr Gleeson was substantially different from that outlined in the pleadings.
During the hearing in June Mr Liam Reidy SC, for Mr Gleeson, said his client remained "obsessive" about the circumstances in which his wife had died. Since her death Mr Gleeson had had some 70 sessions with Dr Charles Smith of the Central Mental Hospital, Dublin, and would require further sessions, counsel said.
Mr Gleeson had claimed damages for personal injury for a psychiatric condition from which he claimed to suffer due to his wife's death. He also sought special damages for loss of her services and income and his own loss of income.
Mr Reidy said the couple had married in 1985, had an "idyllic" relationship and were very much in love. They had difficulties conceiving a child, and Mrs Gleeson had begun IVF treatment. Counsel said there was no issue with the IVF specialist.
In July 1993, while staying in Co Wexford, Mrs Gleeson had developed severe stomach and back ache. She was taken to Wexford General Hospital on July 24th and transferred to the NMH three days later for specialist care.
Over the nine days from then until August 4th, Mr Gleeson developed severe psychological dysfunction, counsel said. He made the journey to and from Carlow each day.
On August 4th Mr Gleeson was telephoned and was told his wife had to undergo an operation, but there was nothing to worry about. He arrived in Dublin at 10 a.m. that same day and was told his wife had died.
Yesterday Mr Reidy said that as part of the terms of settlement and with the judge's permission, the defence wished to make a statement to the court.
Ms Mary Irvine SC, defending, said the NMH had acknowledged its negligence in the diagnosis and treatment of Mrs Gleeson. It wished to apologise to Mr Gleeson and her family for her death and for the distress and anxiety caused.
Mr Reidy said Mrs Gleeson was survived by her husband, John; her mother, Mrs Kelly, Burrin Street, Carlow; her three sisters, Noeleen Connell, Pauline Kelly and Marion O'Toole; and her two brothers, Michael and Niall Kelly, all of Burrin Street.
In evidence, Ms Noeleen Connell, on behalf of the Kelly family, said they wished to release their claims in favour of Mr Gleeson. They were making no claim.
Mr Justice Quirke said he would like to convey the sympathy of the court to Mr Gleeson and to Mrs Gleeson's family in respect of "this dreadful tragedy."