The independent team investigating the contact the late Evelyn Joel had with the Health Service Executive (HSE) will hold its first meeting later today.
The committee, chaired by Dr Joe Duggan, consultant and geriatrician at the Mater hospital, Dublin, has been asked to "review the scope, range and level of services" available to Ms Joel during the two years prior to her death.
Ms Joel (58), who had multiple sclerosis, died within days of being admitted to Wexford General Hospital on January 1st in a severely malnourished state.
Ms Joel had been cared for by her daughter, Eleanor. Her daughter said Ms Joel had refused food following the death of her partner in mid-December.
A Garda investigation into Ms Joel's death is also under way.
Minister for Health Mary Harney said the reports of Ms Joel's decline during her last weeks were "unacceptable", "tragic" and "heartbreaking".
She said: "Clearly I don't know why that happened. There were failings, very serious failings obviously, but where the responsibility lies remains to be determined."