The medical cause of death last month of a nine-year-old girl three weeks after she underwent an appendix operation in Cavan General Hospital will be made known next week when the inquest into her death is opened.
The coroner for Cavan, Mr Paul Kelly, has confirmed he will open the inquest into the death of Frances Sheridan from Cootehill on Monday.
He said the inquest will be opened in Cavan courthouse to hear evidence of the identity of the deceased and the medical cause of her death only.
It will then be adjourned for a full hearing at a later date.
Frances Sheridan was recovering at home from her operation on January 30th when she experienced stomach pains and was taken back to Cavan hospital's A&E unit. However, she was sent home after her family were told she probably had only a stomach bug. On February 1st she again awoke with pains and was vomiting blood, and her parents called an ambulance. She died before it arrived.
The State pathologist, Dr Marie Cassidy, conducted a post-mortem examination. She furnished Mr Kelly with a copy of her report last month, but he said details would not be revealed before the inquest.
Since the child's death serious concern has been expressed at the continuity of care provided at Cavan hospital's surgery unit. This crisis in confidence in the unit has been ongoing since the suspension of two of the unit's three full-time surgeons last August as a result of inter-personal difficulties. Both surgeons, Dr Pawan Rajpal and Dr William Joyce, have taken High Court proceedings in relation to their suspensions.
The North Eastern Health Board has appointed a team to review all aspects of the care provided for Frances Sheridan from the child's first contact with the hospital on January 7th.