Joel death: Health service review meets

The Health Service Executive team probing the death of Co Wexford woman Evelyn Joel is to meet for the first time today.

The three experts are reviewing HSE services provided to Mrs Joel, who died earlier this month after being admitted to hospital suffering from malnutrition and multiple sclerosis.

The 59-year-old had been living in the Enniscorthy home of her daughter Eleanor.

Health Minister Mary Harney said last week that Ms Joel died from appalling neglect and the incident exposed huge failings.

The HSE team is chaired by Dr Joe Duggan, consultant and geriatrician at Dublin’s Mater hospital and includes Tom O’Dwyer, former deputy chief executive of the Southern Health Board, and Marie Faughey, child care manager in the Kildare/West Wicklow Local Health Office and former director of public health nursing in the Eastern Region.

The team has been asked to review the scope, range and level of HSE services to Mrs Joel from January 2004 to January 2006.

The HSE said a report will be completed at the earliest possible opportunity.

It added that the investigation team will have access to all files, records and expertise.