An inquest into the death of a man who died two days after he was admitted to hospital after a fall was adjourned at Dublin City Coroner's Court yesterday following concerns raised by his family about his medical treatment.
Joseph MacAnaspie (55), of Glasthule Buildings, Glasthule, Dún Laoghaire, was pronounced dead at Beaumont Hospital on June 12th, 2006, two days after he was admitted to St Michael's hospital in Dún Laoghaire with head injuries sustained in a fall.
Mr MacAnaspie was attended to by medical staff at St Michael's after he presented there at 3pm on June 10th and was placed on a trolley.
However, at 5.50pm nursing staff became aware that Mr MacAnaspie's level of consciousness had deteriorated and he was brought to the resuscitation room where was given pure oxygen, but his condition continued to deteriorate.
Mr MacAnaspie was transferred to St Vincent's hospital by ambulance at 7pm and at 9.15pm a CT scan of the brain revealed a haematoma and fracture of the skull.
He was transferred to Beaumont Hospital just before midnight, where he underwent emergency surgery at 3am on June 11th to stop the bleeding.
However, there was more bleeding a number of hours later and Mr MacAnaspie was pronounced dead at 5.40am on June 12th.
Coroner Dr Brian Farrell adjourned the inquest following concerns raised by the family about the medical care at St Michael's.
Mr MacAnaspie's brother, Michael, said they were also concerned about the delay in transferring scans taken at St Vincent's hospital to Beaumont.
