Concern at delay in report on woman’s death

THE chairman of the HSE South Forum has expressed concern about the length of time it is taking to complete an investigation into the death of a 74-year-old woman at a community hospital in Co Cork.

Hannah Comber, a patient at Heatherside Hospital, near Buttevant, suffocated after becoming entangled in straps binding her to a chair.

Regional forum chairman Councillor Liam O’Doherty pledged to raise the matter at the next meeting of members from the southern counties.

She died on June 21, 2006.

Gardaí took only a few weeks to complete their investigation and an inquest into the pensioner’s death was held last April. Yet, 20 months after her death, an independent team appointed by the HSE has yet to complete its investigation.

Shortly after the pensioner’s death the HSE set up an investigation, headed by senior health manager Tom O’Dwyer.

He stepped aside in July 2006 due to a conflict of interest. Mr O’Dwyer had been a programme manager who had overall responsibility for running the hospital, where Ms Comber had been a patient for 15 years.

The HSE then appointed an independent investigation team chaired by Pat Gaughan.

On several occasions since Ms Comber’s death, the Irish Examiner has asked the HSE when the investigation is likely to be completed.

Its responses have been nearly identical in each case.

In its latest response the HSE said: “Investigations of this nature are comprehensive and meticulous and, by their very nature time consuming. However, the independent investigation team is cognisant of the need to finalise the investigation as soon as possible.”

The HSE was specifically asked when it was likely the investigation would be finalised and was unable to provide even an approximate time.

Meanwhile, HSE South forum chairman Mr O’Doherty said he was concerned about the length of time the investigation was taking.

“In June it will be two years since this lady died. If this report isn’t completed by the time we have our next HSE forum meeting next month I will be raising this issue at that meeting,” Mr O’Doherty said.

Ms Comber’s inquest heard that on the night of her death she had been restless and wanted to get up.

She was removed from her bedroom and taken to the day room where she was tied into a restraint chair.

While staff were not watching, the diagnosed schizophrenic slipped down the chair and was suffocated when the restraint straps tightened around her neck.

Two members of staff made conflicting statements to the gardaí which were read out at the inquest, which was held in Mallow.

Gardaí sent a file on the investigation to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

However, his office decided that no charges should be made.

The deputy coroner for North Cork, Dr John Burke, told the hospital to adopt a number of new safety procedures. He had recommended a verdict of misadventure.