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THE HSE HAS apologised to the family of a 25-year-old woman who died by suicide nine years ago.
Maxine Maguire, from Newbridge in Co Kildare, died in St James’s Hospital on 7 February 2017.
The HSE told the High Court it wanted to offer its heartfelt condolences to Ms Maguire’s family for the devastating loss.
“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 apology stated.
In a statement, Ms Maguire’s mother Kathleen said the family took the case against the health service “to hold them accountable and to seek justice for our beautiful daughter Maxine”.
“This has not been an easy journey, and it has taken a huge toll on our entire family,” she said.
An inquest into Ms Maguire’s death in 2019 made seven recommendations to improve the care of mental health patients, including that a psychiatric consultant should have a face-to-face review with a patient before a decision on discharge is made.
Kathleen said her daughter was a beautiful young woman who loved her family dearly and had a close group of friends. She was studying for her Master’s degree in Child, Youth and Family Studies and hoped to become a social worker.
She said the family is calling on the minister for mental health Mary Butler to implement all the recommendations, saying they have the potential to save 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.
“A piece of me died with Maxine. Now we must somehow try to piece our lives back together.”
Speaking to The Journal after the apology, Kathleen said today is like “the end of the road”.
“It’s very important that it’s gone on record that the HSE are holding their hands up. They’re apologising for the failing in Maxine’s care, and it also opens the door for the recommendations to be implemented,” she said.
“It’s always grieving families that are on the steps [of the court] calling for the recommendations to be implemented and it’s a lost opportunity.”
She said mental health has been the Cinderella of the health system for far too long, adding: “They have to make it a priority now.”
“My daughter had a long life to live. She wanted to be a social worker to help people. That’s why it’s important for me to know that even in her death, she can still help people. That’s my goal now.”
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