Swab left inside body of mother after birth
THE HSE has been ordered to pay over €75,000 to a woman because a swab was left inside her body after she had given birth.
Emma Noack (27), of Dunmore Road in Waterford, sued the HSE for medical negligence.
A vaginal swab was inadvertently left inside her for eight days after the birth of her baby in February 2006 at Waterford Regional Hospital.
The plaintiff suffered abdominal pain and depression after the swab was left in her body, the court was told, and she also complained of an "odour" coming from her when she went back to the hospital.
Liability in the case was admitted when it came before the High Court, sitting in Waterford, for assessment of damages.
Judge Sean Ryan awarded Ms Noack damages totalling €75,500. She was also awarded her costs while an application from the defence for a stay on the order was refused.
The HSE said afterwards that it wanted to apologise to Ms Noack for the stress she suffered.
- Conor Kane
Irish Independent
