The Health Service Executive is to investigate the services provided to a bed-ridden woman who was admitted to hospital severely malnourished and died a few days later.
In a statement this afternoon the HSE said an independent team from outside the South East Area would comprehensively review theservices provided by the HSE to Evelyn Joel (59).
"Terms of reference are currently being finalised for the investigation," the statement said. The team members comprise a medical consultant, former deputy health board CEO, and health care professional with an extensive background in public health nursing and community service."
The post mortem results Ms Joel are being awaited by gardai. She was admitted to Wexford General Hospital on New Year's Day for treatment for arthritis and another disease after an ambulance was called by a concerned third party.
She was reportedly found in a severely malnourished and dehydrated state lying in her own excrement. Ms Joel was believed to weigh less than four stone at the time of her death.
A Garda investigation into the death is also underway. This investigation is understood to be examining whether the woman, whose funeral took place in Enniscorthy yesterday, was the victim of neglect.
The death is also likely to be the subject of a coroner's inquest.
The county coroner requested a post mortem which was carried out by the State Pathologist Dr Marie Cassidy yesterday at Waterford General Hospital.
In a statement this morning Age Action Ireland said the death showed how "important communities can be in keeping watch on the care of vulnerable people".
It said while the deceased was not an older person, her death should focus attention how people intervene in cases involving the vulnerable, whether assistance is sought or not, and on the relevant legal and privacy issues.