An investigation is to take place following the death of a woman at University Hospital Galway this week.
It follows reports that an elderly woman died while waiting to be seen at the hospital's emergency department.
According to the Galway City Tribune newspaper, the woman was left on a trolley for several hours before she died.
The Saolta Hospital Group, which manages UHG, said the circumstances of the case will be reviewed externally.
An emergency department consultant from outside the Saolta group will carry out the review.
The completed report will be presented to hospital management.
The review will look at the circumstances leading to the woman's referral to hospital, the manner in which she was transported there and the events that took place on her arrival at University Hospital Galway.
It is understood the patient had a history of cardiac illness and was referred to hospital by a GP.
Pressure on the emergency department at UHG routinely leads to a full capacity protocol being implemented there.
In many instances, patients arrive there by ambulance, only to be left in the vehicles until space is available in the emergency department.
There have been repeated calls for a new building to cater for the demand placed on services.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny conceded in the Dáil earlier this year that the existing emergency department was not fit for purpose.
