The widow of an elderly man who died after allegedly contracting MRSA in a Cork hospital will ask the High Court on Monday to order the hospital to allow her to ask its employees and others if they will co-operate with her efforts to conduct an investigation into the circumstances of the death.
Ms Justice Mary Laffoy yesterday gave leave to lawyers for Mrs Eileen Ryan of Willow Bank, Ballea Road, Carrigaline, Co Cork to apply to the court for a number of orders against the Mercy University Hospital, Grenville Place, Cork.
It is claimed Mrs Ryan's husband, Valentine Ryan (74), was admitted to the hospital on February 25th, 2002 to undergo tests for a kidney infection. He had been diagnosed with impaired renal failure since the end of 2001.
While in hospital, Mr Ryan's condition deteriorated and it was diagnosed that he had contracted MRSA, it is claimed. Mr Ryan suffered renal failure on March 8th, 2002 and he was transferred to University College Hospital, Cork, where he suffered an acute cardiopulmonary arrest and died on April 25th, 2002.
The death certificate records that Mr Ryan died of acute renal failure secondary to MRSA septicaemia, it is alleged. An inquest has been set for hearing on November 16th next.
Mrs Ryan's legal team wrote to a number of key personnel at Mercy University Hospital, Cork, including its chief executive, Paddy Madden, requesting an interview with regard to potential evidence.
It is alleged Mrs Ryan's legal team has been impeded from investigating the circumstances leading to the death of the pensioner.
The High Court will be asked on Monday to make an order declaring that Mrs Ryan and her solicitors are entitled to access to the hospital employees. This would be in order to make a request of them to voluntarily speak pertaining to the circumstances relating to the death of Mr Ryan and relating to the investigation of any factual evidence or possible alleged wrongdoing on the part of the hospital that may have contributed to the death of the pensioner.
The access would be undertaken with a view to a potential action against the hospital and an inquest into the death of Mr Ryan.
The High Court is also to be asked for a declaration that the alleged refusal of the hospital to allow employees to be interviewed or to allow access is an interference in the administration of justice.
Mrs Ryan is also seeking an order restraining the hospital from impeding her from interviewing the hospital employees pertaining to the circumstances relating to Mr Ryan's death and the investigation of any possible alleged wrongdoing and or alleged negligence on the part of the hospital that may have contributed to the death.