Two ombudsmen have been asked to investigate how a woman received multiple fractures after she died at a Londonderry hospital.

The appointment of the Northern Ireland and Parliamentary Ombudsmen comes following a meeting between the family of Maureen McGinley and deputy Secretary of State Paul Goggins and Health Minister Michael McGimpsey at Stormont.

It was decided during the meeting that an investigation by the ombudsmen was the best way of determining what happened to the Strabane woman who died at Altnagelvin Hospital in 2007.

Mrs McGinley's son James said: “Two ombudsmen have been appointed — one from England and one from Northern Ireland. This is the first time that this has ever been done.

“The ombudsmen are going to speak to all the people who handled our mother's body under oath. This is the next best thing to a public inquiry, near enough.”

He added: “We're happy enough to see how it goes. Paul Goggins said it will be all above board. If anybody doesn't answer questions put to them then they will be put before the court or fined.”

Mr Goggins said: “The three ministers with responsibilities for the services involved in this matter have decided that a public inquiry would not be appropriate in this case.

“But questions need to be answered and, given the circumstances of this case, we believe that the most appropriate way for that fully independent investigation to take place is by referring the matter to the Parliamentary and Northern Ireland Ombudsmen.”