A LIMERICK man with a five week history of headaches was in a "grave condition" when brought Limerick Regional hospital March 22nd, 1991, the High gas told yesterday.
Mr Robert Myles Gibson, a neurosurgeon from Leeds University, was giving his opinion on Mr James Collins (42), a bricklayer who died on March 29th, 1991, following a brain haemorrhage.
Mr Gibson was giving evidence, on behalf of the Mid Western Health Board which, with Dr Ray O'Connell of Kilbranish Drive, Woodview Park, Limerick, is being sued by the man's widow, Ms Carmel Collins (42).
Mr Gibson was asked to comment on a decision by a senior house officer at the hospital's outpatients and emergency department on March 20th to send Mr Collins home, after examination.
Mr Gibson said his understanding was that a doctor in such a department had to make clinical judgments based on the information he had and on his examination
When asked about a decision to carry out a lumbar puncture on the late Mr Collins when he was brought to the hospital on March 22nd, 1991, Mr Gibson said he thought it reasonable in the circumstances to carry out the procedure.
Mr Murray McGrath SC for the defendants said it had been claimed by an expert on behalf of Ms Collins that the lumbar puncture killed her husband. Mr Gibson said there was nothing in the records to support that.