Midlands Hospital Apologises Over Westmeath Woman's Cervical Cancer Diagnosis

The case was heard in the High Court today.

A Midlands hospital is acknowledging it missed an opportunity to diagnose a Westmeath woman's cervical cancer, which ultimately, led to her death.

Maria Fitzpatrick's family has settled a High Court action after Portiuncula Hospital apologised for the error.

Ms Fitzpatrick, a mother of four from Collinstown, in Westmeath, was only 38 years of age when she died of complications due to cervical cancer in 2009.

The Irish Independent is reporting Portiuncula University Hospital conducted two smear tests in 2004 and 2005 which were misreported.

The family's legal representation told the court that if they were correctly reported, Ms Fitzpatrick could have accessed timely treatment, and still be alive today.

The court heard that her son, who was ten at the time of her death, could not cope afterwards, and took his own life on Mother's Day nine years later.

Mr Justice Paul Coffey extended his heartfelt sympathy to the family on their double tragedy.

Kevin Fitzpatrick sued the HSE over the death of his wife on March 13th, 2009.

Today, he told the judge "An apology is only words, it doesn’t bring back the life, love and a mother to her children"

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