This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-surrey-40371112
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Epsom Hospital chimney death trust fined £300k | Epsom Hospital chimney death trust fined £300k |
(about 17 hours later) | |
An NHS trust has been fined £300,000 after a patient fell 130ft (39m) to his death from an industrial chimney. | An NHS trust has been fined £300,000 after a patient fell 130ft (39m) to his death from an industrial chimney. |
Adam Withers, 20, suffered from an acute psychotic illness and died after gaining access to a chimney at Epsom Hospital in May 2014. | Adam Withers, 20, suffered from an acute psychotic illness and died after gaining access to a chimney at Epsom Hospital in May 2014. |
Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust admitted health and safety breaches at a previous hearing at Guildford Crown Court. | Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust admitted health and safety breaches at a previous hearing at Guildford Crown Court. |
An inquest found the trust had failed to reassess Mr Withers' risk levels. | An inquest found the trust had failed to reassess Mr Withers' risk levels. |
It concluded his death had been "caused or more than minimally contributed to" by the trust's failures. | It concluded his death had been "caused or more than minimally contributed to" by the trust's failures. |
The trust was found to have failed to act on previous warnings that patients could abscond via a low level building in the courtyard. | The trust was found to have failed to act on previous warnings that patients could abscond via a low level building in the courtyard. |
There had been at least nine previous incidents between 2011 and 2014 in which patients had managed to get on to the roof. | There had been at least nine previous incidents between 2011 and 2014 in which patients had managed to get on to the roof. |
Mr Withers was admitted to the Langley Unit at the hospital in April 2014 after becoming mentally ill, suffering from paranoia and delusions. | Mr Withers was admitted to the Langley Unit at the hospital in April 2014 after becoming mentally ill, suffering from paranoia and delusions. |
In May, while being visited by his mother, he went into the courtyard at Elgar Ward and climbed onto a low rise building. | In May, while being visited by his mother, he went into the courtyard at Elgar Ward and climbed onto a low rise building. |
From there, he gained access to a ladder that had been propped up against an industrial chimney, climbing to the top of it and falling to his death. | From there, he gained access to a ladder that had been propped up against an industrial chimney, climbing to the top of it and falling to his death. |
His mother was standing nearby and his twin sister, Carla, had arrived just moments earlier. | His mother was standing nearby and his twin sister, Carla, had arrived just moments earlier. |
Fiona Edwards, chief executive of Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, said the trust "fully accept" the judge's decision and the fine imposed. | Fiona Edwards, chief executive of Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, said the trust "fully accept" the judge's decision and the fine imposed. |
She said: "I am deeply sorry for Adam's death and continue to offer my most sincere condolences to his family and friends for the devastating impact this has had on them. | She said: "I am deeply sorry for Adam's death and continue to offer my most sincere condolences to his family and friends for the devastating impact this has had on them. |
"This was a tragic accident and we accept responsibility for our contribution to his death. | "This was a tragic accident and we accept responsibility for our contribution to his death. |
"Sadly the loss of his life has helped drive, and contributed to, all of our safety work and service improvements." | "Sadly the loss of his life has helped drive, and contributed to, all of our safety work and service improvements." |
Previous version
1
Next version