Mayo General probe shows 'serious deficiency'

An investigation into Mayo General Hospital following the death of a 53-year-old woman has found a "serious deficiency" in administrative procedures.

The probe by the Ombudsman Emily O'Reilly found test results for the patient, which showed a significant abnormality, went unattended for two weeks.

The 53-year-old woman was referred to Mayo General Hospital in 2004 complaining of shortness of breath and weight loss.

Lung tests conducted at Merlin Park Hospital in Galway showed a significant abnormality.

The results were available immediately but were sent by ordinary mail to Mayo hospital and were not attended to for two weeks.

The woman, identified as Mrs Brown, died four days after the tests of pulmonary hypertension.

Following an investigation Ombudsman Emily O'Reilly has found that there was a serious deficiency in the procedures for reviewing incoming post at Mayo General.

However she finds there is no evidence to suggest the woman's death would have been prevented had the tests been attended to speedily.