Man dies after hospital missed brain tumour

“Martin deserved so much more than that,” say the family of a man who died at Cavan General Hospital eight years ago after “systems failures” failed to pick up a brain tumour that quadrupled in size in a matter of months.

Martin Lawlor (71) of Carrickabruise, Virginia, died on September 23, 2016, surrounded by his loving family.

His wife Patricia told an inquest into his death, which took place before coroner Dr Mary Flanagan last week, that her husband had been her “soulmate”.

“He was perfect in every way,” she said of the loving dad of four, who was discharged from CGH on the afternoon of May 31, 2016, despite having had an MRI.

Though the MRI showed a lesion on Mr Lawlor’s left temporal lobe, this was not picked up.

He was readmitted to hospital the following September when another MRI revealed the extent of the growth. Mr Lawlor was placed on palliative care and died 13 days later.

A ‘narrative’ verdict was recorded at the hearing at which concerns raised by Ciaran Tansey, lead advocate with Damien Tansey Solicitors, representing Mr Lawlor’s bereaved family, focused on multiple “missed opportunities” in clinical oversight.

They also highlighted a near 15-year wait for a nationwide hospital IT solution, and raised questions over delays faced by patients when crucial scanning equipment breaks down.

Mr Lawlor’s surviving family made the following comment through their solicitor following the conclusion of the inquest.

“The coroner today acknowledged that there were a series of systems failures at the hospital. Clearly, Martin deserved so much more than that.”

“He will forever be cherished by all his family and friends, and his memory remains wedded to all their hearts.”

In a statement to The Anglo-Celt following the hearing, a spokesperson for the RSCI hospital group, which includes the Cavan and Monaghan Hospital Group, extended their “sincere condolences” to the family on the passing of Mr Lawlor.

The spokesperson confirmed that Cavan and Monaghan Hospital have made a “submission” regarding the delivery of the Order Com system to the HSE’s Technology & Transformation office. It’s hoped the new IT system will provide a solution to ongoing concerns.

They state that “all recommendations” from a review, which took place in the wake of Mr Lawlor’s death “have been implemented”, with the exception of the Order Com system, which still “awaits national approval” from the HSE.

The spokesperson adds that the MRI scanner is “fully operational”.

The HSE was also contacted for comment regarding a status update on the implementation of the Order Com system.

To read the full report from the inquest, click here.