HSE apologises for deficits in care of Kildare woman (25) who died by suicide

“Mental health has been the Cinderella of our health system for far too long. It must now become a priority,” a grieving Kildare mother said on Wednesday as she settled a High Court action over the death of her daughter by suicide.

Kathleen Maguire’s daughter, a masters degree student, Maxine, was only 25 years of age when she died in February 2017.

Maxine’s family from Newbridge were in the Four Courts on Wednesday as the HSE, in a letter read to the court, “apologised unreservedly and sincerely for the deficits in the care” provided to her.

The letter was read out as Maxine’s parents, Robert and Kathleen Maguire, who had sued the HSE, Naas General Hospital and St Vincent’s University Hospital, Dublin, settled a High Court action over her death.

It said: “We apologise unreservedly and sincerely for the deficits in the care provided to Maxine which culminated in her subsequent untimely and tragic death and for the continuing profound sadness and suffering this has caused you and her family.” 

The letter from the head of service, Mental Health for Dublin South, Kildare and West Wicklow Community Healthcare on behalf of the HSE also offered heartfelt condolences to Maxine’s family on their devastating loss.

Outside court Maxine’s mother, Kathleen, called on the Minister for Mental Health to implement key recommendations made at the inquest and the HSE’s own review into her daughter’s death.

“They have the potential to save precious lives. Maxine’s life mattered, and her death must matter too. Even now she can still help others through the changes we hope to see,” Ms Maguire said.

Calling for mental health now to be made a priority, she said: “A piece of me died with Maxine, and we must somehow now try to piece our lives back together.” 

“This has not been an easy journey, and it has taken a huge toll on our entire family,’ she said.

Maxine, she said, was a beautiful young woman who loved her family dearly. 

“Her goal in life was to help people. She was studying for her Masters degree in Child Youth and Family studies and hoped to become a social worker,” she added.

The family’s counsel Declan Wade told the court that Maguire, who had suffered mental health issues, had presented to the A&E at Naas General Hospital in December 2106 following a suspected overdose.

She was treated and was later transferred to St Vincent’s Hospital, Dublin, where she had a liver transplant.

Counsel told the court that Ms Maguire was discharged home over the Christmas period, but on December 31st, 2016, she was rushed to hospital after a suicide attempt. She died on February 7th, 2017, in the burns unit of a Dublin hospital.

Counsel said the action had been settled after mediation, and he said there were significant causation issues in the case.

Noting the settlement and the division of the statutory mental distress €35,000 solatium payment, Judge Paul Cofey said it was a sad and tragic case, and he extended his deepest sympathy to the Maguire family.

A 2019 inquest into her death recommended that a psychiatric consultant should have a face-to-face review with a patient before the decision to discharge is made.

The inquest said standard operating procedures should be put in place to make it easier to re-enter the mental health services after an extended period of discharge.

It also recommended that all medical files should be on a computer system accessible to all relevant medical professionals.

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can freephone the Samaritans 24 hours a day for confidential support at 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org.