admin @ Tue, 2005-10-25 00:46
TWO health workers involved in the care of a three-year-old boy who survived for more than a month next to the decomposing body of his dead mother have been suspended, it emerged yesterday.
The staff at NHS Lothian have been told not to come in for work during an investigation into how Michael McGarrity came to be left in a flat with his mother's dead body.
Jim McCaffery, director of human resources at NHS Lothian, said: "NHS Lothian is determined that no stone will be left unturned in our attempt to discover all the facts behind this tragedy.
"Staff have been greatly distressed by this case and we are supporting them during the investigation.
"As part of this process, and as a standard measure, I can confirm that two members of NHS Lothian staff have been asked to stay at home to allow a full and thorough examination of any contacts the family have had with the NHS.
"This investigation is ongoing and therefore it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time."
The fate of the toddler is also uncertain at this stage.
It looks likely Michael will remain in an Edinburgh hospital until tomorrow and could be then looked after by his grandmother.
"We are speaking to his family and the health authorities, but a firm decision on his care when he leaves hospital has not yet been made."
The body of the child's mother, Anne-Marie McGarrity, 33, was so badly decomposed that it was initially impossible to tell if the remains were those of a male or female, and police are awaiting results of toxicology tests to determine how she died.
A joint council and NHS Lothian investigation is under way.
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