Death of local woman leads to April inquest

Death of local woman leads to April inquest

25 January 2012

A PRELIMINARY hearing into the death of a Downpatrick woman in hospital 14 years ago has been heard at Belfast Coroner’s Court.

Christina Millar, formerly of Rathkeltair Road, died at the Lagan Valley Hospital in Lisburn on January 18, 1998. She was 51.

A five-day inquest into the cause of her death is due to begin at the end of April, with Coroner Brian Sherrard deciding on its format at Thursday’s hearing.

The court heard Ms. Millar had suffered from a number of serious medical conditions and that consultants who were based in the South Eastern Trust would be called to give evidence.

A lawyer representing two GPs who cared for Ms. Millar argued that they should not be called, and that it was consultants who had the primary care of the deceased.

“The deceased had complex medical conditions managed by consultants in various hospitals,” she said, suggesting it would be difficult for the GPs to fully recollect their role.

A lawyer for the Trust argued that evidence from a dietician on how Ms. Millar’s nutritional needs were met before her death should not be admitted to the inquest as she was not a clinician. He added that the coroner’s court was not the appropriate forum to discuss the impact of “soggy breakfasts”.

“This report has no bearing on the issue,” the lawyer said, arguing that the Trust having to respond to it would be “an inappropriate use of public resources”.

“This matter has been delayed for such a considerable period of time,” he continued. “The consultants have had this hanging over their heads for a considerable number of years.”

Coroner Brian Sherrard said the dietician’s report could be submitted and the appropriate weight given to it.

Indicating it was one of the longest cases of its kind, Mr. Sherrard said he could “understand the frustration of the Trust.”

The full details of Ms. Millar’s illness and subsequent treatment at the Downe and Lagan Valley hospitals were not outlined at the hearing. The inquest into the cause of her death is due to begin on April 30.