An inquiry is to be held into circumstances surrounding the death of a Longford man who died in his doctor's surgery less than 24 hours after being released from hospital. Martin Keenan (38) of Longford town underwent tests at the accident and emergency department of the Longford-Westmeath General Hospital on February 5th last. The next day Mr Keenan died while visiting his GP.
Following Mr Keenan's death, the Midland Health Board issued a statement confirming there would be a review. "Given that the man's death was sudden and followed his attendance at the hospital's accident and emergency unit the previous day, the hospital's consultant medical staff are reviewing the appropriateness of the decision," the board said. The Longford county coroner would also decide on the basis of a post-mortem whether an inquest should be held, a spokeswoman for the Midland Health Board said yesterday. The post-mortem had been held but no decision had yet been made, she added.
The board's statement concluded: "Pending the decision of the coroner the board will be making no further comment in relation to this case. As normal the hospital will be co-operating with the coroner in establishing the cause of death.
"Hospital staff have met the family representatives and will continue to liaise with them. Every sympathy is offered to the family involved on the death of their loved one."
The board's spokeswoman, Ms Dympna Bracken, said the board did not want to say anything which could add to the family's grief at this time. The review was "being put in place in accordance with best practice".