Two investigations into death at Cork hospital

Two investigations are taking place into the death of an elderly woman at a mental health facility in north Cork.

Two investigations are taking place into the death of an elderly woman at a mental health facility in north Cork.

The investigations are being conducted by gardaí and the Health Service Executive (HSE). They follow claims that the woman, Hannah Comber (65), choked to death while being strapped to a chair at Heatherside hospital, near Buttevant.

A Garda spokeswoman said yesterday its investigation was ongoing. "A file will be prepared for the DPP," she said.

The hospital where the patient died on June 22nd is run by the HSE.

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The HSE said it was co-operating with the Garda inquiry and would also carry out its own investigation into the woman's death. A team of three people were being appointed to investigate what happened and its terms of reference were being finalised.

In a statement it said: "The HSE South can confirm that An Garda Síochána is investigating the death of a patient on 22nd June, 2006, at Heatherside hospital in north Cork.

"The HSE is co-operating fully with the gardaí and is also establishing its own separate, independent investigation. The investigation team will be external to the southern area and will comprise a medical consultant, a former deputy health board chief executive, and a director of nursing.

"The terms of reference for the inquiry and members of the investigation team are currently being finalised, and details will be issued once this process is completed.

"The HSE has met with the patient's family to extend its deepest sympathy to them and will continue to keep them informed."

The hospital where Ms Comber died is described by the HSE as "a continuing care facility for South Lee mental health services". It is home to 59 older residents.

The HSE stressed that the hospital has "a safe staff-to-patient ratio, employing over 80 staff made up of mainly nurses and support staff".

It said some chairs were fitted with what it called safety belts.

"Specialised therapeutic chairs with high, broad arm rests are available for residents to provide comfort, postural support and security; some have the additional feature of a lap-level safety belt."

While the patient at the centre of this inquiry died more than a week ago, details of how she died only emerged in yesterday's Sunday Tribune.

A postmortem was carried out by assistant State pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster at Cork University Hospital.

The late Ms Comber, from Ballylopin, Charleville, had been a patient in the hospital for a number of years.

Her family are understood to be shocked at inquiries into the circumstances surrounding her death.