A NEUROSURGEON told the High Court yesterday that he felt sorry for a junior hospital doctor who "carried the can" for someone else who should have examined a man who subsequently died of a brain haemorrhage.
Prof Peter Behan of Glasgow was being cross examined on the fifth day of an action by Ms Carmel Collins (42) of Glenamaar Avenue, Wood view Park, Limerick, against the Mid Western Health Board and Dr Ray O'Connor, of Kilbranish Drive, Wood view Park, Limerick.
The action arises from the death of Ms Collins's husband Mr James Collins, a blocklayer, then aged 42, in Limerick Regional Hospital on March 29th, 1991, following a brain haemorrhage.
The board and Dr O'Connor deny Ms Collins's claims.
The court heard that Mr Collins, while working on a building site on February 20th, 1991, got a severe headache which was not relieved by painkillers. Dr O'Connor initially examined Mr Collins. It is alleged that he diagnosed viral flu.
Prof Behan said he did not think Mr Collins had been examined properly in the hospital, to which he was referred by a GP, Dr Maurice O'Brien, on March 20th, 1991. The junior doctor had no right or authority to make the decision to discharge Mr Collins.
Mr Murray McGrath SC, for the defendants, said the consultant in charge of the accident and emergency department at Limerick Hospital would say the normal and appropriate system was that the decision made by the casualty doctor was one he was competent to make.
Prof Behan said he found it hard to accept that in any hospital a junior doctor would be allowed to overrule a GP. If a GP sent a note stating he was worried about a patient, that must be discussed at a higher level.
The hearing continues today.