No charges likely in hospital death case

NO criminal charges are likely to be brought following the death of a woman strapped to a chair at a Cork nursing home last year.

Gardaí have completed their investigation into the death of Hannah Comber, a resident at Heatherside Hospital, near Buttevant, Co Cork, who suffocated after becoming entangled in straps binding her to a special chair on June 22.

However, it has emerged that the Health Service Executive (HSE) has still to interview any of the staff.

Garda sources said following the investigation of the incident they do not think any criminal charges will be brought in relation to the death of the 65-year-old who had been a resident at the facility for 15 years.

It emerged in the weeks following her death that the report from the hospital given to gardaí following Ms Comber’s death failed to mention that she had accidentally slipped in the specialist chair while strapped in.

It was not until a post mortem took place that it was revealed she died as a result of asphyxiation from a ligature on the chair.

Officers have interviewed a number of parties, including residents and staff, who were at the hospital on the night Ms Comber died and a file on their findings as well as the pathologist’s report has been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

A spokeswoman for the HSE said the investigation team have visited the hospital and set up a process for interviews. She said the amount of time those interviews will take relies on the cooperation of everyone at the facility.

“It is in everyone’s best interests, including her family members, that we get it done as soon as possible. That is part of the investigation team’s remit.”

The health board investigation was held up when a senior health manager, Tom O’Dwyer, who was leading it, had to step aside due to conflict of interest.

In his previous capacity, he was a programme manager who had overall responsibility for running the hospital where Ms Comber was a long-term resident.

He stepped down at the end of July and was replaced by Pat Gaughan, a former chief officer of the Midlands Health Board with 29 years of experience in health services management.

However, apart from the simple personnel change, no other reason has been given for the failure to complete the interviews so far.

The investigation committee has the power “to review the scope, range and level of services provided by the HSE to Hannah Comber in Heatherside Hospital” according to the HSE.

In addition, it has the power to “examine any other matter that, in the opinion of the committee, has a direct relevance or bearing on the death of Hannah Comber”, a spokeswoman said.