A FORMER psychiatric nurse who claims she had to retire earlier than planned because of physical assaults during her career has sued the HSE.
Clare Cooke said she felt compelled to give up her job after an assault in May 2002 and had been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Ms Cooke (53), Hillview Drive, Onslow Gardens, Commons Road, Cork, retired in 2008 on a reduced pension but claims she had not intended to retire until aged 55.
She alleges the HSE failed to provide necessary facilities and support in her workplace.
The HSE denies negligence and breach of duty in relation to the working conditions of Ms Cooke or that it failed to take any adequate steps to protect her.
Outlining the case, Dr John O’Mahony SC, for Ms Cooke, said the medical evidence was she would be unable to return to work as a psychiatric nurse or in any capacity as that was likely to precipitate a relapse of PTSD.
Mr Justice Paul Butler adjourned the case for a time yesterday to allow Ms Cooke to compose herself after she wept during evidence about the assaults.
Referring to an incident alleged to have precipitated her PTSD, she said she heard shouting and swearing from a female patient who had attempted to get into a sitting room.
She stumbled backwards and felt the patient’s hands touching her throat. The patient was 6ft tall. The hearing continues.