Patient deaths scandal : support promised for whistleblowers

Amid the scandal over patient deaths at Gosport War Memorial Hospital, the health secretary has promised changes in the way NHS whistleblowers are treated.

Nearly 500 patients died between 1987 and 2001 following the prescription of dangerous doses of painkilling medication while under the care of the Gosport trust.

In a Commons statement, health secretary Matt Hancock said that there had been a “systematic failure to respond to terrible behaviour” and that he would “strengthen protection” for staff whistleblowers.

A report was published in June by an independent inquiry panel, detailing the scandal at Gosport, which found that 456 lives were shortened between the late 1980s and the year 2000 due the dangerous over-prescribing of opiate medication.

During the statement, Mr Hancock said “I reiterate a profound and unambigious apology for the hurt and anguish of the families”, outlining proposals for “tough new measures to ensure that lessons are learnt from the serious failings”.

It will now be a requirement for every NHS Trust in England to report each year on how concerns raised by patients and staff have been addressed.

Also to be introduced are medical examiners to investigate all non-coronial deaths, and a review of the controlled drugs regime, to focus on detecting inappropriate prescribing of opiates.

He went on to say “The changes we have made since Gosport mean staff can speak up with more confidence, failings are identified earlier and responded to quicker.

“The reforms we plan to make will mean greater transparency, stricter control of drugs, and a full and thorough investigation of every hospital death.

“Taken together, it means the warning signs about untypical patterns of death are more likely to be seen at the time and not 25 years later.”

Chadwick Lawrence’s specialist team of clinical negligence lawyers have years of experience in medical negligence claims, providing support and guidance after life-changing events. Not only do we represent clients in Yorkshire, but because of our reputation we also represent clients nationally.

If you believe that you or a relative may have been injured as a result of clinical/medical negligence, please call for free legal advice from our medical negligence solicitors on the freephone number below.

Posted by Karen Motley, Paralegal, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (karenmotley@chadlaw.co.uk), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

Freephone : 0800 304 738