The inquiry into the death of Clare teenager Aoife Johnston at university hospital Limerick (UHL) is due to start “very shortly”.
The 16-year-old Shannon schoolgirl died last month after contracting bacterial meningitis.
She had spent a number of hours waiting on a trolley prior to her death at the hospital.
The health services executive (HSE) announced a review into the circumstances of Aoife’s death.
Speaking this week, professor Brian Lenehan, chief clinical director of UL hospital’s group, said the review would begin soon and would involve all those involved in Aoife’s care.
Prof Lenehan said a person “external” to the hospital’s group would lead the review which is intended to have a result within three months.
“I would like as chief clinical director to extend my deepest condolences to the Johnston family on the tragic loss of their daughter”, Prof Lenehan said,
He continued, “The adverse event, which we would call it, that will be investigated in line with the national HSE policy and will follow the incident management framework. I’m the chief clinical director. I’m ultimately responsible for patient safety, quality and patient safety. It will be for me to commission that review, which will start very shortly. The terms of reference ask for a result from that review within a three month period. We involve the family and all of those involved in the care are involved in that review. It will be chaired by someone who is external to our hospital group. The results will then be shared with the family but I can’t not really speak to the specifics at this stage with respect to the Johnston family”.
A sixth year student at St Caimin’s Community School, Aoife was from the Cronan Lawn area of Shannon.
At her funeral mass in Shannon last month, Aoife was described as a “wonderful young daughter”, “beautiful young woman” and a great classmate to her fellow pupils.
