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INDEPENDENT MIDWIFE PHILOMENA Canning has said that she is both relieved and saddened after settling her case with the HSE.
Canning, who is suffering from terminal ovarian cancer, had sought damages from the HSE, who withdrew her indemnity insurance to practice as a midwife.
In 2015, her indemnity was restored by the HSE.
It is understood she has not returned to work as a midwife since and her case was highlighted in a recent article in the Irish Examiner.
In a post to Facebook today, Canning said that the case has been settled and that she is pleased with the outcome.
“This is a day of vindication for me – the first day in almost four-and-a-half years where I have woken without a shadow over me: the shadow of having been wronged,” the midwife wrote.
It is a relief to wake in the knowledge that I do not have to fight any more: for my livelihood, my good name, my vocation. I have the peace of mind I longed for.
“But there is sadness too. I know that my long-held ambition of bringing birth centres to the women of Ireland may never be realised. But I also know that as the shadow over me lifts, new light is emerging. Fresh energy is rising up. Other dedicated, passionate and skilled midwives will take up the mantle and make it happen. Please know that I will never be far from you in spirit.”
Canning then thanked family, friends, numerous people who had helped her with her campaign as well as her doctors.
“Finally, I want to say to every pregnant woman out there, and every woman who wishes to be: you have within you the great gift of creation. Therein lies enormous power and potential,” she added.
In her interview with the Examiner, Canning noted that she believes her only hope in fighting her cancer is access to the immunotherapy drug Pembro.
She said she feels she had no choice but to get her case settled so she can access money for the drug.
Speaking to the Dáil on Tuesday, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said it was his understanding that Canning had been offered a settlement.
TheJournal.ie has sought a response from the HSE on today’s developments, with the executive saying during the week that it was, “actively engaging in an effort to bring this matter to a conclusion”.
- With reporting by Hayley Halpin
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Met Nicki in St Camillons nursing home
In Killucan, Co.Westmeath 3 years ago
she was visiting an uncle, she came over to my dad had a word, gave him a hug, i thought it was lovely as she did not know us, proves her heart was in the right place, and now all three have passed on, rip guys x
Nicky was an inspiration for us all! RIP
My Dad’s Dad died from motor neurone and so did my Mums Mum a horrid disease to get Rest in peace Grandma and Grandad. Rest in peace to your beautiful sister so sorry she had this xx
If there is any good news here is that Nicky McFaddens illness was not drawn out for years.
Very sad but the comment about cancer is very insensitive. Cancer can be horrific as well as motor neurone. Wouldn’t wish for either
The only i came in here was gor that statement. Cancer is a horrible leech of a thing to go through .
Cancer is certainly a leech and not something any sane person would wish for; however there is hope if you have cancer as treatment and operations may stop or halt the disease, but there is NO cure or long term hope for people with MND.
I am sorry for your loss. But Fine Gael are finished. This country needs a government who will stand on its own two feet and not take orders from bankers and the like. New fresh blood is what’s needed a party that is not tainted by greed and the clic. Again I am sorry for your loss. You would do better as an independent
David what a hideous person you are! Imagine employing someone with your mentality! It does not matter who you vote for this story is about human suffering and tragedy!
There is never a scenario where people would be “grateful to have cancer”. Walk into a hospice and say ” ye should be grateful, at least ye don’t have MND”???? It’s an awful and horrible statement to make.
Eimsley, in the nicest way possible I’m sorry to say you are wrong. I attend the hospice weekly & I assure you the cancer patients look at me with pity, in my wheelchair barely able to move a muscle. I was 38 when diagnosed with mnd & I’m “lucky” to be alive still, 2 1/2 yrs later. When I was first diagnosed I wished I had been given a cancer diagnoses. I know that sounds unbelievable but, cancer treatments & medicines have advanced so much now there is “hope” for patients. MND on the other hand = no hope, they are not even near finding a cure!
Sharon, sorry to hear this. I have a close family member with untreatable cancer so I’m really offended by the quote in this article. I’m not dismissing the gravity of MND in any way. I just believe that these things should never be compared in terms of suffering e.g. Diminish one groups suffering over another’s. Having been witness to oneupmanship over illness symptoms/outcomes (not by patients but their families) I’m horrified to witness it in the press. I detest the culture of ‘mine’s worse than yours’ that seems to exist for some (not all) people’s lives. Each persons suffering is their own and not for comment by others. There is after all a lot of focus on upholding the dignity of terminally ill patients. All the best and take care.
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