The circumstances surrounding the death of a woman who died after swallowing part of a coat hanger while in hospital are to be reviewed.
Green Party TD Paul Gogarty raised the matter in the Dáil last night, where it emerged that the Mental Health Commission had already resolved to investigate it.
Rita Nolan from Lucan, Co Dublin died while in St Brendan’s Hospital, Grangegroman, in April 2004 after developing an abscess causing her to choke to death. She developed the abscess after swallowing the top of a coat hanger two days earlier.
Mr Gogarty told the Dáil last night that Mrs Nolan was a normal young woman who had recently married when she developed a personality disorder which worsened over time. She had become a danger to herself and others in the ten years up to her death and was in hospital on a "semi-permanent" basis.
She had a history of swallowing items and previously had a spoon surgically removed from her throat.
Mr Gogarty said that while there had been two inquests which determined the cause of death, it did not establish whether Mrs Nolan’s medical treatment was adequate. "The coroner was as critical of the hospital in his report as he could be," the Dublin West TD said.
Two doctors involved in monitoring Mrs Nolan did not attend the inquests. "Instead, the hospital stuck to the letter of the law and brought its solicitor along to cover its backside," Mr Gogarty told the Dáil.
"What needs to be investigated is the information passed between consultants and the procedures and practices in operation at St Brendan’s."
He said the family had been unable to get full answers from the hospital in relation to the action taken after Mrs Nolan swallowed the coat hanger top.
"Why, for example, was a follow-up x-ray not carried out, given Rita’s case history? Her family believes that she would still be alive today if an x-ray had been taken.
Were any special monitoring instructions given in Rita’s case? What exactly happened in terms of follow-up? If someone swallowed a coat hanger, surely some follow up was needed. Where were the checks and balances?"
Mr Gogarty said the family were not insisting the action taken was inadequate but until they get comprehensive answers then questions remain.
"The family only wants the truth, but the information provided by St. Brendan’s has been sparse to date. Only give out what you must, seems to be message that went out."
"The fact that she was an intelligent woman who was lucid for much of the time, made her experience even more upsetting and placed an enormous burden on her husband John and their two young sons."
Mr Gogarty today welcomed the review of Mrs Nolan’s case. "This is a highly tragic case which clearly warrants a full and transparent investigation carried out in a timely fashion."
The Minister of State at the Department of Health, Tim O’Malley, told the Dáil last night that the Inspector Of Mental Health Services and the Mental Health Commission would analyse the case. He did not say when this would happen but said it would be "quickly".