A woman has recounted to the High Court how she experienced a sensation of “being torn apart” when a pacemaker was inserted into her chest during a day procedure at Bon Secours Hospital in Cork. Eileen Tynan, a mother of three, described the ordeal as “pure hell” and noted that despite repeatedly pleading with the consultant cardiologist to halt the procedure, her requests were ignored during the operation which ran for over 50 minutes.
“I instantly felt pain… I repeatedly asked him to stop. He insisted I needed to calm down, explaining that my veins were small and proceeding with the procedure was crucial,” she conveyed to Justice Paul Coffey. Eileen shared her shocking experience to the court of how the cardiologist simply praised her for enduring the procedure and a nurse wiped her tears. She questioned the nurse why her pleas had been ignored, and the nurse responded with ‘I don’t know.’
Eileen, who currently resides in Spain, testified on the initial day of her lawsuit regarding the procedure carried out on July 25th, 2018 at Bon Secours Hospital in Cork. Instructed by Vincent Toher solicitors, John O’Mahony senior counsel, disclosed that the 68-year-old woman alleges she now suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and adjustment disorder due to the 53 minute procedure performed under a local anaesthetic.
Resident of Tivoli, Cork, Ms Tynan, filed a claim against Bon Secours Health System based at College Road, Cork, and the consultant cardiologist Heiko Kindler with a practice at The Cork Clinic, Western Road, Cork, following the procedure at the Bon Secours Hospital, College Road, Cork, in July 2018. Allegations have been made that there was a failure to supply adequate anaesthesia or pain relief for the pacemaker insertion, a neglect to acknowledge Eileen’s complaints of agony, and disregard to stop the procedure even when it was apparent she was experiencing extreme pain and distress.
The High Court has listened to claims that the hospital and consulting cardiologist have outrightly dismissed. They contend that the alleged pain Ms Tynan experienced could not have occurred. They assert that sufficient analgesic drugs were administered during the medical procedure. Allegations also state that upon expressing discomfort once, Ms Tynan was promptly provided with pain relief.
In her testament, she imparted that immediate pain was felt as the procedure commenced. “As soon as the cardiologist began, I experienced pain. I made him aware of this and he acknowledged, advising me to take a deep breath. He also mentioned the small size of my veins and suggested relaxation. I remained in the hospital until evening,” said Ms Tynan.
Her courage was evident as she bravely conveyed her emotional torment. “I was filled with anger and sorrow for what I had to endure. I wept uncontrollably and was unable to verbally communicate,” she recounted.
As Ms Tynan proceeded to testify, she became overwhelmed with emotion when recalling the aftermath of her three daughters returning to Cork to support her. She shared the significant impact of the event, questioning the cardiologist’s disregard for her pleas of vulnerability and great physical anguish.
“The aftermath was a series of nightmares and my emotional state deteriorated. I would be awoken, horrified by my own screams,” she informed the court.
The hearing presided by Mr Justice Paul Coffey will resume the following week.