A woman who has claimed she felt like she was being “being ripped open” and in pain during a day procedure to insert a pacemaker in her chest under local anaesthetic at the Bon Secours Hospital in Cork has told the High Court how she later left the country in an effort to forget it.
Mother of three, Eileen Tynan from Cork, told Mr Justice Paul Coffey she said to her husband she could not stay in Ireland anymore. He took early retirement, and they moved from their Cork City home to Spain.
“It has scarred me for the rest of my life. I thought leaving the country would fix it,” she told the court.
Ms Tynan broke down in tears in the High Court as she told how she was inconsolable after the 50-minute procedure at the Bon Secours Hospital in July 2018 and said it has left a big impact on her life.
Last week, Ms Tynan gave evidence that the experience “was like hell on earth” and she was hoarse from asking the consultant cardiologist to stop but nobody listened to her during the procedure.
In court on Tuesday, Ms Tynan said the minute the cardiologist started the procedure she felt in pain. “All I remember is the pain,” she added.
She said
She said the cardiologist previously told her it would be in her best interests to have a pacemaker inserted, and she would have a wonderful life and live until 99 years.
“I thought by going away it would help me to forget everything. It did for a little while, but then it began creeping back into my head again. I was sad and angry. I feel no matter where I go in the world I will never forget that day,” she told the judge.
Ms Tynan was giving evidence in the second day of her action over the procedure carried out at Bon Secours Hospital, Cork, on July 25, 2018.
The 68-year-old woman is claiming she suffers from PTSD and adjustment disorder as a result of the 53-minute day procedure under local anaesthetic.
Eileen Tynan (68) from Tivoli, Cork and Spain has sued Bon Secours Health System with registered offices at College Road, Cork, and consultant cardiologist Heiko Kindler with an address at The Cork Clinic, Western Road, Cork, over the procedure carried out at the Bob Secours Hospital, College Road, Cork.
It is claimed that there was an alleged failure to provide adequate anaesthesia or analgesia for the pacemaker and there was an alleged failure to respond to Ms Tynan’s complaints of pain and an alleged failure to cease the procedure when it was allegedly clear she was in pain and acutely distressed.
All of the claims are denied and the High Court heard that it will be contended by the hospital and cardiologist side that the pain alleged is not possible and that Ms Tynan was given adequate painkilling medicine during the procedure. It is further claimed that Ms Tynan expressed pain once and was promptly given painkilling medication.
Counsel for the hospital and cardiologist Michael Counihan SC under cross-examination put it to Ms Tynan that her recollection of events where she alleges her pleas were ignored did not happen.
Mr Tynan replied: “Yes, it did.” The case continues.
