Family of woman who died after hysterectomy get €560,000

The family of a woman who died of multi-organ failure seven days after she had a hysterectomy at Mount Carmel private hospital in Dublin has secured €560,000 in settlement of their High Court action.

Linda Royal (50), a mother of three of Forest Green, Kingswood Heights, Tallaght, Dublin, died in September 2008, days after a routine operation.

Desmond O’Neill SC, for her family, said she became septic and this carried on for a number of days without being noticed. When later transferred as an emergency to St James’ Hospital for surgery, it was found she had organ failure, he said.

Louis Royal lost his wife of 30 years when their third child was aged just 12, counsel said. A separate action by Mr Royal could be struck out, he added.

An inquest into the death of Mrs Royal, held in 2012, heard she developed septicaemia, or blood poisoning, caused by a rare bacteria following the hysterectomy. This led to multi-organ failure and septic shock.

Dublin City Coroner Dr Brian Farrell said he was satisfied it was a post-operative complication of an elective procedure and recorded a verdict of death by medical misadventure.

In the High Court, Mrs Royal's son Keith, Brookes Mill, Prosperous, Co Kildare, sued Mount Carmel Medical Group Ltd; owners of Mount Carmel Hospital,Braemor Park, Churchtown; and Mona Joyce, a consultant gynaecologist Mona Joyce at Mount Carmel Hospital over the death of his mother on September 29th, 2008. The claims were denied.

It was claimed Mrs Royal was referred to Ms Joyce in 2008 who advised she undergo a vaginal hysterectomy.

She was admitted to Mount Carmel Hospital and had the surgery on September 22nd, 2008. It was claimed Mrs Royal did reasonably well for the next two days but on September 26th was unwell and had pain the next day.

It was claimed she was given a number of laxatives but on September 28th her condition was worse and she was transferred on an emergency basis to St James’ Hospital where she died the next day.

It was alleged there was failure to maintain an appropriate level of precautions for infection control to limit the risk of exposure to infection and to recognise the seriousness of Mrs Royal’s condition at the earliest possible opportunity.

It was also alleged there was failure to realise the seriousness of Ms Royal’s condition and an alleged delay in transferring her to St James’ Hospital.

The family said they suffered great distress over her death at such an early age and the circumstances of her death along with the funeral were very difficult.