FAI into death of woman at home with Covid expected to look at NHS 24

An FAI is to be held into the death of a woman who died at home after contracting Covid-19.

Ann Carrigan Weir, 55, died on January 6, 2021.

The death was investigated by the Covid Deaths Investigation Team within the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS).

The Crown Office has now lodged a first notice to begin the court process for a discretionary fatal accident inquiry (FAI) into the 55-year-old’s death.

The inquiry is expected to focus mainly on the standard of care provided by NHS 24.

A preliminary hearing will take place at Greenock Sheriff Court on November 5.

Procurator Fiscal Andy Shanks, who leads on fatalities investigations for COPFS, said: “The Lord Advocate considers that the death of Ann Weir occurred in circumstances giving rise to serious public concern and as such a discretionary fatal accident inquiry should be held.

“An FAI will allow a full public airing of the evidence of the procurator fiscal’s wider investigations with interested parties.

“The evidence will be tested in a public setting and be the subject of an independent judicial determination.”

The purpose of a fatal accident inquiry includes determining the cause of death; the circumstances in which the death occurred; and establishing what, if any, reasonable precautions could have been taken, and could be implemented in the future, which might realistically prevent other deaths in similar circumstances.

Unlike criminal proceedings, FAIs are inquisitorial in nature, and are used to establish facts rather than to apportion blame.