Rathcoole woman with spinal injury refuses to be sent home from Tallaght Hospital

By Mary Dennehy

A YOUNG patient with spinal injuries refused to be discharged from Tallaght Hospital this week on the grounds that she believed she didn’t receive “appropriate treatment”.

Hannah Murphy (23), from Rathcoole, who has existing muscle damage to her spine, was admitted to Tallaght Hospital with an additional spinal injury earlier this month – which she sustained while in the shower.

Speaking to The Echo from the hospital on Monday, Hannah said: “I’ve been in Tallaght Hospital for ten days and they want to discharge me today [Monday], but I’m not going.

“I have difficulty sitting down, I can’t use the toilet properly, I’m unable to go up steps, can walk only on a Zimmer frame and I’m in a lot of pain and they want to send me home.

“However, I am refusing to go because I don’t feel that I can manage at home or that I have received the appropriate treatment . . . and I’m afraid that I could be left on pain killers at home for more than 18 months before I can be seen by a consultant.”

On Monday Hannah started a campaign from her hospital bed, canvassing local councillors, TDs and Ministers alongside posting the details of her case on social media.

“I believe that I haven’t received the appropriate treatment and I’m afraid that I’ll be sent home with a spinal injury that could have negative repercussions for me down the line,” Hannah said.

After standing her ground, Hannah told The Echo that she received a visit from the hospital’s occupational therapy team on Tuesday evening and that a decision was made to keep the 23-year-old college graduate in hospital for additional treatment. 

Hannah said: “Only I fought my ground, I would be at home now taking five different painkillers for how knows how long.

“It’s not right that patients have to fight for appropriate treatment when it comes to a serious injury or health concern and I will continue to stay put until I have been given the right treatment or get access to a consultant.”

Tallaght Central Fianna Fáil councillor Charlie O’Connor made representation on behalf of Hannah to the HSE and Tallaght Hospital management.

He told The Echo: “I listened to Hannah’s case and believed she had a fair point to make.

“She told me that she had a serious and worrying health problem and couldn’t get access to a consultant – and was afraid that if she left the hospital that she wouldn’t get to see a consultant for months or even, hear from the hospital again.

“The issue of consultant waiting lists is impacting on all hospitals but we have to give patients reassurances.”

In response to questions from the Echo, a representative from Tallaght Hospital said: “In the interest of patient confidentiality, Tallaght Hospital does not comment on individual patient cases.

“Once a decision is made to admit a patient they are admitted under the relevant surgical or medical team, they are then assessed and referred to the appropriate speciality.

“Following the assessment of the inpatient and appropriate treatment a decision is made by the treating consultant as to when it is appropriate to discharge a patient. Appropriate follow up care should it be required, is arranged.

“With regard to outpatient appointments, all referrals are triaged and allocated an appointment based on clinical need.”