A hospital in Essex where a severely disabled man died has admitted breaching health and safety laws.
According to the BBC, Kyle Flack, 20, from Stanford-le-Hope, who suffered from severe cerebral palsy, was found dead at Basildon University Hospital on 12 October 2006.
His head had become trapped in the rails around his bed, an inquest heard.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) brought the prosecution against the hospital, accusing them of failing to ensure the patient’s safety.
Matthew Taylor, prosecuting on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), told Magistrates that Mr Flack died at the hospital, two days after being admitted with stomach problems.
“The failings of the hospital were causative of death,” Mr Taylor told magistrates. Not only do we say that the trust’s failings caused the death of Kyle but we also say they failed to heed previous warnings.”
After the hearing, Mr Flack’s mother, Gill, condemned some care standards at the hospital as “absolute crap”.
She said bosses should be “held accountable” and called for “staff sackings”.
The hospital’s director of nursing, Maggie Rogers, apologised to Kyle’s family and friends and stated: “I can reassure our patients that since his tragic death in 2006, we have taken action that includes improving the management of equipment and the care of our patients and special needs”
At least in recognising the mistakes that they made with Mr Flack’s death the hospital and the trust have looked to take action to rectify their previous failings. They must appreciate that, in suffering from cerebral palsy, Mr Flack would have perhaps required greater care and attention than may be necessary for a patient without such a condition.
