A BRITISH medical expert told the High Court yesterday he had come to give evidence on behalf of a Limerick widow because he felt a man was dead who ought to be alive today.
Prof Malvin Salkind of London University, was giving evidence on behalf of Ms Carmel Collins, of Glenanaar Avenue, Woodview Park, Limerick, in an action arising from the death of her husband, Mr James Collins, then 42, a blocklayer, on March 29th, 1991.
Ms Collins is suing the MidWestern Health Board and Dr Ray O'Connor, of Kilbranish Drive, Woodview Park, Limerick. Mr Collins died following a brain haemorrhage six weeks after it is alleged he was told he had viral flu. The board and Dr O'Connor deny Ms Collins's claims.
The court had heard that Mr Collins, while working on a building site on February 20th, 1991, got a severe headache which was not relieved by pain killers. Dr O'Connor, the court was told, initially examined Mr Collins and it is alleged he diagnosed viral flu.
Prof Salkind, asked for his overall view of the treatment of Mr Collins by Dr O'Connor, said he did not know what Dr O'Connor was like as a GP. He might be very good. Everyone had an off day and this might have been an off day for Dr O'Connor. The standard was below what was expected of the averagely competent GP.
He did not know what Mr Collins said to Dr O'Connor but there was a diagnosis of upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) which implied a head cold, or sore throat, or painful ears or cough. These were not the patient's symptoms.
Prof Salkind referred to a letter sent subsequently by another GP, Dr Maurice O'Brien, to Limerick Regional Hospital, asking for Mr Collins to be investigated. He thought this an emergency and if he had been the referring doctor he would have been astonished and angry that Mr Collins had subsequently been discharged.
Mr Murray McGrath SC, for the health board and Dr O'Connor, said Dr O'Connor's evidence would be that when Mr Collins', came to see to him, when asked about his complaints or symptoms, Mr Collins identified them as a cough, aches and pains, headache, and, possibly, some nasal congestion.
Mr McGrath asked that if Dry O'Connor was given that description by Mr Collins, whether it was acceptable to categorise it as upper respiratory tract infection.
Prof Salkind said Ms Collins was quite certain her husband never complained of a cough or a sneeze.
In response to Mr McGrath, Prof Salkind referred to Dr O'Connor's notes for February 25th, and said there appeared to be writing in a different hand. The notes seemed compressed, even though there was lots of space on the page. It did not look as if it might have been contemporaneous.
Mr McGrath asked him if he had any basis for reaching such a damning conclusion about a professional person. Prof Salkind said he did not understand how one particular word was written over the date and the entry looked as cramped. Mr McGrath said Dr O'Connor would say these entries were made contemporaneously by him. Prof Salkind said he was glad.
Mr McGrath said that in raising the suggestion that Dr O'Connor falsified records, Prof Salkind was giving away his true colours and that he had come to court to "down" Dr O'Connor.
Prof Salkind said that was not true. Mr McGrath had raised the issue. There was no way he would have raised it in open court and he was sorry it was raised. It was uncalled for.
Mr McGrath said Prof Salkind had made this suggestion behind Dr O'Connor's back. Prof Salkind said he felt it was his duty to brine the matter to the attention of Ms Collins's solicitor but not to promulgate it.
Prof Salkind said it was his opinion the casualty doctor in the regional hospital made a bad decision in discharging Mr Collins. It was inappropriate to send Mr Collins away without the appropriate investigation being done.
The hearing continues today.