A Co Donegal woman with four grown-up children has begun a High Court action against a consultant surgeon over the way he allegedly assessed her medical condition. The claim is denied by the defence.
Ms Philomena O'Flaherty (57), Glebe, Linsfort, Buncrana, is suing Dr Neville Couse, who practised at Letterkenny General Hospital.
She claims he was responsible for her assessment, investigation, management and treatment in 1996-2000. Between November 1996 and April 1997, Ms O'Flaherty claims she attended the hospital under Dr Couse's care for assessment, investigation and diagnosis of rectal bleeding and lower abdominal pain.
She was admitted under his care to undergo treatment by means of an anterior resection of the bowel. Because of her treatment, it is claimed she had to undergo procedures and suffered consequences which she would not otherwise have encountered.
It is claimed Dr Couse failed to pay adequate attention to her past surgical or gynaecological history and failed to consider pre-operatively, given Ms O'Flaherty's presenting symptoms, that she was suffering from endometriosis (inflammation of the lining membrane of the womb).
The defence denies the claim and particularly denies that Dr Couse failed to use reasonable care, skill and diligence in his pre-operative, operative and post- operative treatment, care and advice of Ms O'Flaherty.
If Dr Couse failed to make a pre-operative diagnosis of endometriosis, which is denied, that did not constitute negligence, it is pleaded. Her life had been "turned upside down", Mr Jack Fitzgerald SC, for Ms O'Flaherty, said.
She had four major operations and 24 trips to the operating theatre. She was in pain and suffered from depression.
Ms Mary Irvine SC, defending, said her client would say he had been asked by a GP to give Ms O'Flaherty an urgent bowel review and that he had carried out all appropriate tests before proceeding with surgery.
The hearing, before Mr Justice Kearns, is expected to take several days.