Probes to focus on failure to inform HSE of crisis

An investigation into how a serious flu outbreak at a private nursing home led to the deaths of six residents and infected 27 others will focus on why the facility failed to inform authorities of the crisis in time.

Senior HSE officials last night confirmed they have concerns over why the service’s public health officials were not told of the escalating problem until Sunday night, when five deaths had occurred — a clear breach of national protocols.

Speaking to the Irish Examiner, HSE North West public health director Dr Peter Wright declined to comment on whether lives could have been saved if management at Nazareth House private nursing home contacted them in time.