Call for report on blood poison death at nursing home

A patients’ group tonight called for the publication of a report into the death of a 60-year-old disabled man at a former Dublin nursing home.

Peter McKenna, who had Down’s syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease, died of blood poisoning at Beaumont Hospital 13 days after his admission to the Leas Cross nursing home in Swords, Co Dublin.

The Irish Patients Association said the Health Service Executive should publish the report into his death as soon as possible.

“Considering the amount of public concern and from people who have relatives in nursing homes, the public do have a right to know the details of the report. There are really fundamental lessons to be learned,” said chairman Stephen McMahon.

It is understood that the report has found doctors at Leas Cross had raised doubts about their ability to care for Mr McKenna.

He had been transferred in October 2000 as a ward of court from a residential place at Saint Michael's House, which has strongly defended its decision.

Mr McKenna was very ill at the time and then he missed a crucial medical appointment at Beaumont Hospital.

His family, who are meeting the Tánaiste and Minister for Health, Mary Harney tonight, have also called for the report to be published.

The report was submitted to the HSE last month by Martin Hynes, the former head of the Irish Blood Transfusion Service.

The HSE has said its legal adviser is considering the report.

Leas Cross came under fire after RTÉ’s Prime Time investigative programme revealed footage of what appeared to be an elderly woman restrained in a chair against her will, a care worker harassing a resident and other incidents.

The Health Service Executive took steps to remove patients from the home in Swords over fears for their well-being and it shut down two months ago.