Vol. 510 No. 6
236 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children the circumstances surrounding the death of a 21 year old person (details supplied) by suicide on 23 October 1999 at St. Bridget's Psychiatric Hospital in Ballinasloe, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23236/99]
I extend my condolences to the family concerned on their tragic loss. Every suicide is regrettable and particularly so when the incident occurs in an in-patient facility. A full report surrounding the circumstances of the death has been sent to the inspector of mental hospitals by the Western Health Board. I am not in a position to comment on the circumstances of the case until such time as the inquest has been held and the coroner's report made available. However, the Western Health Board has indicated in its report to the inspector that staffing levels were normal at the time of the incident and that the nurses' dispute was not a contributory factor in this case.
