High Court Reporters
A hospital has apologised in the High Court for the failings in care to a man who later had to have his right kidney removed because of cancer.
Liam Moran had sued the HSE claiming that there was a failure to diagnose that he was suffering from or likely to be suffering from renal cancer in a proper and timely manner.
His cancer, it was alleged, had been allowed to develop and spread unidentified, unmonitored and untreated until he was diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma in December 2019.
He had developed a large invasive and aggressive renal cell carcinoma, it was claimed, and had to have his right kidney removed five years ago.
In the High Court on Tuesday, 45-year old Mr Moran settled his action against the HSE.
His counsel Jeremy Maher SC, instructed by Cian O’Carroll Solicitors, told the court that an apology from the hospital general manager Margaret Kelleher could be read to the court.
It said: "On behalf of Midland Regional Hospital Mullingar, I would like to convey our sincere apologies for the failings in care provided to you and in particular the failure to arrange further review after February 15th, 2011.
"We appreciate how difficult this experience has been for you and your family.”
It added: “Once again, I apologise on behalf of the Midland Regional Hospital for the failings in your care whilst a patient of this hospital.”
Fire protection engineer, Liam Moran (45) of Coole, Mullingar, Co Westmeath had sued the HSE over his care at Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar after he was referred there complaining of severe pain over his right kidney area.
Mr Moran had a number of tests at the hospital in 2009 including a CT scan of his kidneys, and it was reported that a lesion did not show features of a complex cyst, and it was recommended he return for a repeat examination after several months.
In July 2010, a scan showed a lesion in the right kidney area but on February 15th, 2011, Mr Moran had a further CT examination which reported that the previous abnormality detected in the right kidney was unchanged. It is claimed after this he was lost to follow up.
In December 2019, Mr Moran attended at the hospital complaining of pain and a further CT examination showed a 6cm mass on the right kidney consistent with a primary renal malignancy. Mr Moran had his right kidney removed at another hospital in January 2020.
In the proceedings it was claimed there was an alleged failure to care for Mr Moran in a proper, skilful, diligent or timely manner and a failure to treat him when the tumour in his right kidney was amenable to minimally invasive treatment.
There was, it was claimed, a failure to put in place any plan for operative intervention in relation to the tumour or abnormality identified in his right kidney.
It was also claimed there was a failure to have any or any adequate protocols or systems in place for the care and management of patients at risk of developing cancer and that he had been deprived of the opportunity of treatment when treatment would have assured a cure.
Mr Justice Paul Coffey noted the settlement.
For the latest Waterford News and Sport, tune into WLR News on the hour and download the WLR App for news on demand.
