Northern Ireland

Police investigate death of elderly patient following 'incident' at Antrim Area Hospital

Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of an elderly patient following "an incident" at Antrim Area Hospital
Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of an elderly patient following "an incident" at Antrim Area Hospital Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of an elderly patient following "an incident" at Antrim Area Hospital

POLICE are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of an elderly patient following "an incident at Antrim Area Hospital".

The highest level of health service probe has also been ordered.

The Irish News understands that the patient, who was in his eighties, left a medical ward and got into difficulties in another part of the hospital on Saturday morning.

It is believed he may have suffered burn injuries.

He was transferred to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast where he died.

A PSNI spokesman confirmed that it was liaising with the Health and Safety Executive and northern health trust to "determine the circumstances surrounding the incident".

"A post mortem examination will take place in due course to determine the cause of death."

The northern trust, which is responsible for the Co Antrim hospital, said it had immediately notified the relevant authorities following an incident involving a male patient.

It also confirmed that a 'level 3' health service investigation has been ordered.

"We offer our sincere and heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased and can confirm that the incident has been notified to the Health and Safety Executive and the PSNI. As a result, an investigation is now underway and we are also in the process of instigating a Level 3 Serious Adverse Incident investigation, which will be independently led.

"We are not in a position to make any further comment at this stage."