Chapter 4 - This Investigation
4.1 What the investigation looked at
This investigation looked at two things:
- The actions of the NAHB in arranging the nursing home bed and in arranging payment for Mrs. Coffey’s care, and
- The actions of the Appeals Officer in making his decision to refuse the appeal.
For clarity, this report will present the investigation of the HSE actions first, followed by those of the Appeals Officer.
4.2 Process of the Investigation
Statements of Complaint issued both to the HSE (26/11/2009) and to the HRS Appeals Officer ( 28/07/09) (see Appendix 1).
The HSE provided the Ombudsman with some relevant files on the case and also provided various submissions as the investigation progressed. The Appeals Officer also provided a submission to the Ombudsman. All relevant submissions, reports, records and policy documents were examined.
The following people were interviewed in order to gather further information on the case:
On behalf of Mrs. Coffey
- Mrs. Collette Byrne (daughter)
- Mr. John Coffey (son)
HSE Staff
- Ms Patricia McDermott, Manager, Nursing Homes Support Services
- Mr. Pat Marron, General Manager, Central Unit – Primary Community and Continuing Care
Nursing Home
- EM, Former Manager, Nursing Home Provider (interviewed in a private capacity)
HRS Appeals Officer
- Mr. Edmund Kent, Appeals Officer
In the course of the investigation Ombudsman Investigators were in telephone contact on a number of occasions with the current operators of the Co. Roscommon nursing home in which Mrs. Coffey lived.
Right to make representations – Section 6(6) of the Ombudsman Act
Under section 6(6) of the Ombudsman Act 1980, parties to the investigation were provided with the draft investigation report and afforded an opportunity to make representations in relation to it. Any submissions received were considered in advance of the finalisation of the report.