Two nurses’ registration suspended for six months over Comber death

Two nurses have had their registration suspended for six months, plus conditions attached to their registration for a further two years, in connection with the death of an elderly patient in hospital in 2006 while in a chair with a restraint belt.

The president of the High Court, Mr Justice Peter Kelly, confirmed as appropriate the sanctions recommended by An Bord Altranais in relation to Nurse Ellen Teresa Anne Carroll, Kilmallock, Co Limerick, and Nurse Margaret Marian (Rita) Dowling, Churchtown, Mallow, arising from the incident concerning Hannah Comber at Heatherside ospital, Buttevant, Co Cork, in June 2006.

Ms Comber, a long-term and highly dependent patient, died early on June 22, 2006, in the day room while sitting in a chair with a restraint belt, an established and approved method of caring for her when she became agitated, the court heard.