A consultant surgeon at the Midland Regional Hospital in Mullingar has strongly rejected claims he inappropriately prescribed an opiate pain medication patch for a man hours before his death in the hospital in 2009.
Builder David McCormack, 56, from Loughanstown, Knockdrin, Mullingar, died unexpectedly at the hospital on 13 March 2009.
The father-of-four had a quadruple cardiac bypass in 2001 but made a full recovery.
In March of 2009, he complained he was unwell and was treated by both his GP and staff at Mullingar hospital on several occasions but his condition worsened.
His family claim Consultant Surgeon Shabhaz Mansoor prescribed a Fentanyl patch to treat his pain despite the fact the opiate is recommended for cancer sufferers and those with intractable pain.
An inquest was reopened on the advice of the Attorney General in Mullingar this afternoon.
Mr Mansoor said he was a consultant with 25 years of experience who had used the opiate patch on many occasions and was quite satisfied it was appropriate.
The inquest will continue tomorrow.
