The girlfriend of a tragic IRA bomb blast victim w

The girlfriend of a tragic IRA bomb blast victim who died after undergoing a rapid heroin detox programme described her distress to the GMC today.

(Thurs)

Gillian Cox was giving evidence at the disciplinary hearing of anaesthetist Gary Gerson.

The doctor is accused of misconduct after her boyfriend Brendan Woolhead died under general anaesthetic at a private London clinic.

Dr Gerson, 69, failed to find out whether the Irish-born 34-year-old had been properly assessed for for the two-day cure.

Mr Woolhead, a telecom worker, had suffered a head injury in the Aldwych terrorist bombing carried out by the IRA in central London in February 1996.

Ms Cox, of (7) Abbey View, Swords, Co Dublin, who has a son by Mr Woolhead from their 10 year relationship, said she initially had no idea her partner was a heroin user.

But she told the committee: ‘He lived a relatively normal life.

He worked full time and we socialised as anyone would.

‘

Ms Cox said that her boyfriend had come back to Dublin only to return to London due to lack of work.

But tragically Mr Woolhead fell victim to the terrorist attack.

‘The bus was blown up and he suffered a fractured skull, a fractured hip and also cuts and bruises,’ she said.

‘He had been accused by the media of being in on the bombing.

The police confirmed that he wasn’t.

‘

As a result Mr Woolhead received substantial damages – but these caused problems with his addiction.

‘For a time his habit increased because of the extra money and also because of the trauma of what happened on the bus,’ said Miss Cox.

‘I knew this money was going to help him start a new life.

‘

Mr Woolhead tried to wean himself off heroin without success then decided to adopt a more conventional route.

‘He knew he needed some professional help.

‘

Ms Cox said she first spotted the newspaper advert in Sunday Independent offering ‘rapid detoxification.

‘

Among the information sent was details of a QED programme of three people who had undergone the treatment.

An appointment was made to go to the London Welbeck Clinic on 1 October.

‘It seemed more convenient and seemed to be the answer.

It seemed to be 100 percent successful.

‘

Miss Cox confirmed that during a 20 minute consultation with a Dr John Storey no mention was made of the head injury.

She added that Mr Woolhead started asking questions when he was asked to sign a consent form only to be told: ‘Don’t worry.

You will be a new man tomorrow.

What are you even reading it for? Sign it.

‘

After meeting Dr Gerson the patient was taken away for a ten minute screening where his blood pressure was checked.

Miss Cox confirmed her partner was allowed out of the clinic the night before the treatment – which gave him the chance to inject himself with heroin.

‘I was aware he did use heroin but not after one o’clock,’ she added.

On arriving back at the clinic for treatment she said a ‘nervous’ Mr Woolhead was told to get undressed for the procedure.

As the treatment progressed Miss Cox’s worries about her partner’s condition grew.

‘In the video tape of people who had been through the treatment in QED everybody looked as bright as a button.

‘I expected Brendan to be watching Coronation Street or something like that.

‘He had not in my eyes come around.

‘He was still very very groggy.

I was frightened and I was crying.

‘

But Dr Gerson was saying: ‘Don’t worry.

This is normal.

‘

Mr Woolhead, who was put on oxygen, then started vomiting and developing a red rash on his face.

He was given an anti-sickness injection and was on a monitoring machine attached to his finger, said Miss Cox.

‘The alarm kept buzzing all the the time.

The nurse told me this was quiet normal if this began to bleep.

‘And she told me to lean over and turn it off.

She said: ‘Don’t worry.

”

Miss Cox said Mr Woolhead was given another injection.

‘Brendan started to look like he had cold turkey.

He was sweating and then looked freezing cold.

The nurse said: ‘Don’t worry.

”

Thinking her partner looked more comfortable, Miss Cox said she left the clinic and returned to the hotel room.

But sadly in the early hours of the next morning she was telephoned by a staff member at the clinic.

‘I had a call from the nurse telling me I was to go to St Mary’s straight away.

‘

The committee has heard Mr Woolhead died on October 3 after suffering a seizure cardiac arrest.

Miss Cox confirmed she took a civil action out, on behalf of her son and herself, which was later settled with a payment for damages.

ends

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