A Medical Council fitness to practise inquiry has begun into the death of a 56-year-old woman after treatment for a urinary problem at Mount Carmel Private Hospital in Dublin in 2008.
Mary Walsh of Carrigwood, Firhouse in Dublin died on 8 December of septic shock, after being transferred to Tallaght Hospital.
Consultant urologist Mr Thomas McDermott is facing nine allegations of professional misconduct or poor professional performance.
Patrick Leonard, solicitor for the Medical Council, told the inquiry it is alleged that Mr McDermott failed to recognise the symptoms of perforation of the bladder, the onset of septic shock and arrange for the earlier transfer of Ms Walsh to Tallaght Hospital.
Ms Walsh had been admitted to Mount Carmel Hospital on 5 December 2008 for a cystoscopy, to relieve her urinary problem.
It was a short procedure and despite some pain after it, she improved and was discharged.
Later that evening she contacted the hospital saying she was in pain and was re-admitted.
Ms Walsh was seen by Mr McDermott in the early hours of 6 December and treated.
There appeared to be some improvement but she deteriorated again and was transferred to the hospital's High Dependency Unit.
The inquiry heard that Mr McDermott was leaving Dublin for 12 hours around this period.
Ms Walsh was transferred to Tallaght Hospital where she was diagnosed with perforation to the bladder and also infected liquid was found in her stomach cavity.
She died two days later.
Nurse A who works at Mount Carmel Hospital told the inquiry that she saw Ms Walsh when she was re-admitted on 5 December.
She said Ms Walsh rated her pain at the highest level, 10 out of 10, but her respiration and blood pressure were normal.
