The head of the HSE in the Mid-West says the Executive will co-operate with the county coroner, in her investigation into the death of a patient injured in a fire at St. Joseph's Hospital.
The blaze, which was an apparent smoking related incident, occured in March, and the patient in question passed away six months later.
The facility has since been criticised for its procedures relating to patients who smoke, as part of a HIQA report published this week.
HIQA's report criticised both fire safety procedures at St. Joseph's Hospital, and also the response to an internal investigation following a fire there in March.
A patient was injured in that blaze. That person has subsequently died and the matter is due the county coroner.
Because of this, the HSE has said it is limited in its capacity to comment on this matter but today on Clare FM's Morning Focus, the Area Manager for the MidWest Bernard Gloster vowed that they would assist and co-operate with the Coroner's Court.
HIQA's report was discussed by Ennis Town Councillors yesterday, with many expressing alarm about it's findings.
They also requested that the county's Chief Fire Officer issue them with a report on fire safety at St. Joseph's.
Today, Adrian Kelly said they have inspected the county's 14 nursing homes over the past four years, and said St. Joseph's is due to re-assessed shortly.
Works have had to be carried out in some areas, but Adrian Kelly says all of the buildings are broadly safe.
HIQA's report also re-iterated issues with facilities at St. Joseph's, saying patients' privacy and independence are hampered by its design.
The HSE accepts there are issues, and Bernard Gloster says a replacement is needed because a mere upgrade would not be feasible.
However, he says works won't be carried out in the near future.
In the short-term, meanwhile, a call has been issued for more staff at St. Joseph's.
Independent Councillor Ann Norton, a member of the HSE's Regional Health Forum, has praised workers at the hospital but feels they need more supports.
