Family of woman (30) who died of cancer settles case for €800,000

The family of a young mother who died of cancer has settled for €800,000 an action against the Health Service Executive (HSE) and three medics over an alleged delay in her diagnosis.

Lauren McDonald (30), of Mallow, Co Cork, the mother of a five-year-old girl, died in 2009 due to complications relating to her colon cancer.

In the High Court on Friday, the McDonald family's counsel, Dr John O'Mahony SC, said it was their contention that her cancer would have been discovered if her case had been properly investigated.

All the claims in the case are denied by all of the defendants.

Counsel said Ms McDonald’s colon cancer was not diagnosed until two years after she first presented with symptoms. A diagnosis of constipation had been made in her case, he said.

Her daughter Gracie had to watch her mother for over three years in dire abdominal distress, he said.

The settlement was reached after mediation without admission of liability.

Among the claims is one alleging that Ms McDonald attended her GP surgery at least six times between May 2005 and 2007 complaining of pain and was also seen at Mallow General Hospital on a number of occasions, the court heard.

In August 2007, when Ms McDonald was only five and a half stone in weight, she was transferred to the care of another hospital where her cancer was diagnosed after a number of procedures. She died on January 20th, 2009, aged 30.

Approving the settlement, Mr Justice Paul Coffey said it was a very sad and tragic case "where a young mother had died in the prime of her life".

Deepest sympathy

The judge offered his deepest sympathy to her family and wished them all the best for the future.

Lauren's mother, Jennifer McDonald, of Shanballymore, Mallow, Co Cork, had sued the HSE over the care her daughter received at Mallow General Hospital. She also sued a consultant geriatrician at the hospital, Suzanne Timmons.

She also sued Dr Catherine Kelleher, a GP with a practice at Newtwopot House, Doneraile, Mallow, Co Cork, and a doctor who had worked there as a locum, Dr Ann Marie Norton.

It was claimed there was an alleged failure to investigate, diagnose, manage or treat Lauren’s medical symptoms and complaints in a timely fashion, adequately or at all.

Against the HSE and Ms Timmons it was alleged there was a failure to reach a proper diagnosis of Lauren McDonald’s condition in a timely fashion, and the clear symptoms, signs and clinical history that pointed to a likely cancer diagnosis were allegedly disregarded.

It was further claimed there was an alleged failure to have any proper regard for or to heed the clinical signs and symptoms which occurred after she presented to Mallow Hospital.

It was alleged that Dr Kelleher and Dr Norton failed to take any proper heed on the continuing complaints made by Lauren McDonald between May 2005 until August 2006 and thereafter an alleged failure to refer her for appropriate specialist investigations, diagnosis, management care and treatment such as was warranted by her symptoms, complaints and her condition.