THE family of a pensioner who died from Covid-19 has called for a public inquiry.
Mother-of-five Ann Archer (72) died in the Mater Hospital in Belfast on April 29.
Originally from the lower Ormeau area of the city, she had been transferred to hospital from Oak Tree Manor nursing home in Dunmurry.
Concerns have been raised about the number of elderly people in care homes who have died from the deadly virus.
Now lawyers for the Archer family have written to the Department of Health, Department of Justice and Executive Office asking for a public inquiry.
Her daughter Nicola said they are devastated by the loss of the great-grandmother.
“We believe that our mother was failed miserably by the government and the health minister in respect of the Covid-19 pandemic and in particular the lack of PPE and testing in the care home setting,” she said.
“We as a family are failing to understand how it got to this point.
“This is why we are asking for an inquiry.”
Solicitor Michael Brentnall of Brentnall Legal, said: “At this time there is insufficient information to apportion culpability on the nursing home, however we are instructed, given the broader circumstances of Ann’s death from Covid-19, and the state’s response to it, to request the establishment of a public inquiry in regard to the systemic failures by the state in dealing with this situation.
"Ann Archer died as a result of those systemic failures."
Mr Brentnall claimed authorities have not complied with the European Convention on Human Rights.
“The state has failed in its human rights obligations under article 2 in respect of Ann Archer, and the many, many others who have died in similar circumstances,” he said.
"What is required is an independent public inquiry, conducted in an overarching manner which fulfils the necessary article 2 obligations, and which answers the questions for both the family of Ann Archer and the broader public that an inquest does not sufficiently cover.”
A spokeswoman for Runwood Homes, which owns Oak Tree Manor, said: “We’d like to express our sincere condolences to the family of this much-loved former resident, and make assurances that our professional and competent team provided good quality, person-centred care, in partnership with external healthcare agencies and their guidelines, utilising all available resources at the time including PPE.
“The testing of residents is managed by HSC Trusts and not independent care homes as per Department of Health guidelines in Northern Ireland.
“Our amazing staff team strives every day do their absolute best to preserve life and ensure our residents receive the very best care possible.”
