Family Demands Reform After Mother’s Cancer Treatment Delays

A family is calling for urgent reforms within the Health Service Executive (HSE) following the death of Marian Quinlan, a mother and public servant, after significant delays in her cancer treatment. Diagnosed with lung cancer in late September 2022, she was initially told her condition was treatable. However, she received no curative or palliative care before passing away less than three months later.

Clare Quinlan, Marian’s daughter, expressed her devastation over the lack of communication regarding her mother’s treatment. Despite being assured that her cancer was curable, Marian’s condition progressed without intervention. Clare recounted, “At no stage was she told it was [advancing to] stage 4 or that there was any palliative option.” This absence of clear information left the family unprepared for the grim reality of Marian’s diagnosis.

Marian, who served as personal secretary to former Fianna Fáil Minister Brian Lenihan Jnr, had dedicated her life to public service. She even ran for local office in 2004. Her family’s experience with the health system has raised serious concerns about the management of cancer care in Ireland, particularly regarding communication and record-keeping.

The delays began shortly after her diagnosis, when a large tumour was discovered in her lungs. After weeks of waiting for appointments, her first meeting with the oncology team at Mater University Hospital occurred in mid-October 2022. Despite initial optimism, treatment plans changed continuously. On the brink of starting radiation therapy in December, Marian was informed that the procedure would not proceed due to her tumour’s growth.

Clare described the situation as a “breakdown of communications,” noting that an “admin error” led to cancelled appointments that further delayed necessary care. Just three days after radiation was cancelled, Marian was admitted to Sligo University Hospital, where her condition rapidly deteriorated. Clare recalls the distressing atmosphere in the hospital, stating, “We were appalled by the lack of dignity and respect.”

Marian passed away just before Christmas, on December 24, 2022, a day before her birthday. The family’s grief was compounded by the frustrations of navigating a fragmented healthcare system. Clare has since sought answers, requesting files from every healthcare facility that treated her mother, leading her to discover discrepancies in medical records and treatment plans.

The HSE has acknowledged these challenges, with a spokesperson stating that the National Electronic Health Record (EHR) is in its early planning stages. This initiative aims to improve communication and access to patient information across healthcare providers. Clare has called for immediate action to implement this system, arguing that the current reliance on paper records is outdated and detrimental to patient care.

“The HSE needs to act now,” she said. “We’re living in 2025, when cars can drive for themselves…but the HSE are relying on paper records to look after somebody’s health.”

In response to the Quinlan family’s concerns, the hospitals involved have expressed condolences but maintained that they cannot comment on individual cases due to confidentiality. Nonetheless, the tragic outcome of Marian’s treatment journey highlights the critical need for systemic improvements in the delivery of healthcare in Ireland.

As the Quinlan family continues to process their loss, they emphasize the importance of reforming the healthcare system to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future. Clare reflected on her mother’s vibrant spirit, stating, “If she knew she was going to die, she would have had a party.” The call for change is not just about her mother but is a plea for dignity and respect for all patients facing serious health challenges.