No HSE report six years after patient’s death
HSE South launched the investigation shortly after Hannah Comber, 75, died at Heatherside Hospital, near Buttevant, in June 2006.
The psychogeriatric patient had been restless that night and was removed by staff to a day room, where she was put in a restraining chair.
A belt was attached around her waist to stop her getting out of the chair. But she slipped down the chair and the belt choked her.
A coroner’s court later ruled the pensioner died by misadventure and the HSE set up the investigation.
Gardaí launched a separate investigation into Ms Comber’s death, but the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) decided there should be no prosecution.
Despite repeated promises to publish the report into her death, the HSE has not done so.
The Irish Examiner asked the HSE a number of questions about the progress of the investigation, which is believed to have so far cost nearly €100,000. The HSE was asked if after all this time it had completed the investigation and if not, what was causing the delay.
It was also asked if disciplinary action had been taken against any staff as a result of the investigation and whether the investigation team had been able to speak to everybody it needed to.
The HSE was asked if it intended to fulfil the promise to make the investigation’s findings public.
In response the HSE said it had received the report of the independent investigation team into the death of Ms Comber.
In a statement it said: “When such reports are received by the HSE, or any other public body, there is a legal obligation to ensure due process for all concerned and to ensure that the matter is addressed appropriately in the context of our duty of care to patients, staff and the public.”
The statement added that the HSE has considered the report, the legal advice obtained and the matter is receiving attention under the terms of the policy “Disciplinary Procedure for Employees of the Health Service Executive 2007”.
It would, therefore, be premature to comment further at this stage, it said. This statement is almost identical to that issued by the HSE more than a year ago when the Irish Examiner enquired about the progress of the investigation.
The HSE said it “remains fully committed to bringing a satisfactory conclusion to this matter as soon as possible”.
Heatherside Hospital has since closed and Deputy Sean Sherlock said he was concerned that the report into Ms Comber’s death may never see the light of day.
