Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)

I ask the Minister of State to respond positively to the request of the family of the late Anne Carroll, who took her life on 17 October 2004 at Cork University Hospital, for a review of her death that is independent of State agencies. She was admitted on 6 September and was on weekend discharge when she attempted to stab herself. She was saved by her brother but while he sought help, she cut her wrists. Does the Minister of State agree that on her return by her family to the hospital it was unacceptable that no bed was available and that, consequently, she became extremely distressed? Her family expressed concern to the hospital staff regarding her safety. Does the Minister of State agree it was unacceptable for the hospital not to have a high observation or special care unit? Was the absence of specified intermediate levels of observation unacceptable? Does he agree it was unacceptable that the alarm system was out of order on the day in question? On its examination, no documentation regarding the death of Ms Carroll was found in the clinical file.

For these reasons, the family is anxious that an independent inquiry should be held. In a similar situation, the Minister of State's predecessor set up such an inquiry into the death of Anne O'Rahilly, who died in unit 5B in the Mid-Western Regional Hospital, Limerick. A highly extensive and far-reaching report arose from the independent inquiry. The Minister of State should consider doing something similar at the family's request.

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