PROGRESS is expected at an inquest into the death of a toddler who died from a suspected drugs overdose following a report from an independent medical expert.
Two-year-old Alexander McConnell died in February 2014 at the Royal Victoria Hospital, with the cause of the Carrickfergus boy’s death listed as choral hydrate toxicity combined with Nitrazepam.
Both substances listed are used as sedative and hypnotic pharmaceutical drugs.
An initial Coroners Court hearing in August was told how a medical report from a doctor specialising in toxicology was due within six weeks, which would discuss the drugs and their effects.
At a further preliminary hearing today in Belfast’s Laganside House, Coroner Joseph McCrisken said he hoped there would have been “more progress” into “moving the matter forward”.
The coroner said an update from the expert had been requested last Friday but “none was forthcoming”.
However, the update is expected later today, while a further “useful” statement from a Belfast health trust paediatrician had been received by Mr McCrisken, who said he would forward it to the independent expert.
“That might assist with his report,” the coroner told the hearing.
The doctor providing the statement would also be an “important witness” when the full inquest begins, the coroner added.
Meanwhile, up to 1,500 pages of medical notes on Alexander, along with social work records, have also been requested, with Mr McCrisken adjourning the case for four weeks to allow all the information to be provided.
