The Department of Health has refused to comment on the suspension of a hospital consultant following the death of a patient during a medical procedure. The anaesthetist, who works in the Southern Health Board area, has been suspended from duty without pay.
The Minister for Health is expected to be asked by the health board to set up an inquiry into the incident in which a woman in her 40s died in April. The problem is believed to have been related to the administration of oxygen.
A preliminary investigation has already been carried out by an outside medical expert. Initially the doctor was given leave with pay, but has since been suspended without pay. It is believed there are no reports of any previous incidents concerning the doctor who has worked at the hospital for a number of years and is highly regarded.
A spokeswoman for the Department said yesterday it would not comment on an individual case. However, it is expected the Minister, under existing health legislation, will be requested to set up a committee of inquiry to examine the incident. A spokeswoman for the Southern Health Board said it was "not appropriate" to comment on individual cases.