Investigation into whereabouts of missing fingertip

The Western Health Board is investigating the whereabouts of a Mayo man's fingertip which was severed in a domestic accident.

The fingertip was due to have been reconnected in an operation at University College Hospital, Galway (UCHG), but went missing before surgery was due.

The 52-year-old man from east Mayo had to undergo alternative surgery, but is very distressed at the incident. So far, he says, he has not received an official apology.

The man, who does not want to be identified, lost part of his finger on November 29th last year when it got caught in a door, and he was rushed, with the top of his right middle finger, to Mayo General Hospital.

He was then transferred from casualty at Mayo General Hospital to UCHG at 4 p.m. that day. He says his fingertip was placed in ice and then in a bag. "That bag was on the trolley beside me, but I don't know what happened to it after that.

"All I know is that when I arrived in Galway, it was nowhere to be found."

He was told in UCHG that the part of the finger could not be located after further searches.

The father of three told the Western People this week that he did not blame the hospital staff who had cared for him and were under severe pressure, but was seeking an explanation from hospital management.

The operation at UCHG took place next day, and the man was discharged after 24 hours. He says he hasn't heard anything from the Mayo hospital since.

"I am self-employed and have been out of work for the past seven weeks," he said, as he was still experiencing pain.

The Western Health Board confirmed yesterday that a full investigation into "all aspects" of the incident was under way at Mayo General Hospital.