Court upholds no inquest decision in hospital death

A brother and sister whose mother died at the Launceston General Hospital two years ago have failed in their latest attempt to force a coronial inquiry into the death.

The Supreme Court turned down their request yesterday on a point of law.

Vivienne Delaney, 71, died in August 2004 five weeks after being admitted to Launceston General Hospital with a broken arm.

Last year, chief magistrate Arnold Shott declined to hold a coronial inquiry.

Michael and Simone Delaney asked the Supreme Court to overturn that decision, but the Chief Justice ruled their application was out of time.

Mr Delaney says his mother was given an overdose of morphine at the hospital and there was a cover-up.

After the hearing he said he was very upset with the Tasmanian legal system and in any other state of Australia there would have been an inquest.