HSE to probe services given to woman

HEALTH experts investigating the death of a woman found severely malnourished in her daughter’s home will scrutinise the services offered to her in her last two years alive.

The three-member team will have access to all files, records and expertise as required during their inquiry into the death of 58-year-old Evelyn Joel, nee Connolly, from Enniscorthy, Co Wexford.

Ms Joel, who had multiple sclerosis, died on January 7 after being removed from the home of her daughter, Eleanor Connolly, at Cluain Dara Estate in Enniscorthy, by emergency services a few days earlier. She weighed less than four stone.

Yesterday, the Health Service Executive (HSE) outlined the terms of reference of their inquiry into Ms Joel’s death.

The team will:

* Review the scope, range and level of services provided by the HSE to Ms Joel, during the period January 2004 to January 2006, having regard to her medical condition and circumstances.

* Review the delivery and coordination of these services to Ms Joel.

* Review existing protocols and procedures in the delivery of these services.

* Having regard to the above, make recommendations as appropriate and to submit their report to the HSE.

* Complete the report as soon as possible.

It is within the team’s remit to decide on the time frame for completion of the review.

However, a statement from the HSE yesterday said “the report should be completed at the earliest possible opportunity”.

The members of the inquiry team are senior health professionals with substantial experience of the health service.

They include Dr Joe Duggan (chairman), a consultant physician and geriatrician, at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital; Tom O’Dwyer, former programme manager and deputy chief executive in the Southern Health Board and Marie Faughey, childcare manager of Kildare/West Wicklow Local Health Office and former director of public health nursing in the eastern region.

The investigation team is external to the South-East Area.