Hospital worker removed from duty following man’s death

A staff member at St Mary's Hospital in Drogheda, Co Louth, has been removed from duty following the death of an elderly man.

A care home worker has been suspended from duty following the death of an elderly man at a hospital in Drogheda, it emerged today.

A spokeswoman for the Health Services Executive confirmed an incident occurred on September 5 at St Mary’s Hospital in the town, a residential care home for the elderly.

The patient, who was believed to be an 80-year-old man, was transferred to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital where he was pronounced dead today.

Both the Health Services Executive and the gardaí have launched investigations.

A HSE spokeswoman confirmed a worker had been removed from duties pending a full investigation. It is understood HSE officials received allegations that an incident had occurred at St Mary’s last week involving the employee.

Assistant State Pathologist Dr Michael Cassidy is to carry out a post mortem exam out on the man’s body later today.