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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Probe into cancer patients' death | Probe into cancer patients' death |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Two patients at Birmingham Heartlands Hospital have died after a suspected overdose of cancer medication. | Two patients at Birmingham Heartlands Hospital have died after a suspected overdose of cancer medication. |
| Baljit Singh Sunner, 36, of Small Heath, and Paul Richards, 35, of Sutton Coldfield, died one day after treatment in the oncology ward on 20 July. | Baljit Singh Sunner, 36, of Small Heath, and Paul Richards, 35, of Sutton Coldfield, died one day after treatment in the oncology ward on 20 July. |
| It is believed they received five times the correct dose. Father-of-three Mr Richards was in remission at the time. | It is believed they received five times the correct dose. Father-of-three Mr Richards was in remission at the time. |
| The hospital is now investigating the men's clinical care. A doctor and two nurses are believed to be not at work. | The hospital is now investigating the men's clinical care. A doctor and two nurses are believed to be not at work. |
| 'Picture of health' | |
| Steve Jenkins, of the Birmingham coroner's office, said samples had been taken away for examination. | Steve Jenkins, of the Birmingham coroner's office, said samples had been taken away for examination. |
| A family solicitor, Tony Hall, said Mr Richards' family had yet to come to terms with their loss and wanted time and space to grieve. | |
| He said:" We understand that the hospital is investigating the circumstances of Mr Richards' death and therefore the family would not wish to prejudice that investigation by making a detailed statement at this stage." | |
| A neighbour of Mr Richards, Dorothy Washbourne, said: "His children are nice. His wife's nice. | |
| "He used to be very sporty and it's a bit of a shock to everybody because he seemed a picture of health really." | |
| 'Deepest sympathy' | |
| In a statement, Dr Mark Goldman, the chief executive of Heartlands Hospital, said: "Following the deaths of two patients at Heartlands Hospital we are carrying out a detailed investigation into the clinical care given to both of these patients. | In a statement, Dr Mark Goldman, the chief executive of Heartlands Hospital, said: "Following the deaths of two patients at Heartlands Hospital we are carrying out a detailed investigation into the clinical care given to both of these patients. |
| "This will be presented to both families and to the coroner, and it will form part of the coroner's inquiries. | |
| "We have already met with both families, expressed our deepest sympathy and advised them of this investigation. | "We have already met with both families, expressed our deepest sympathy and advised them of this investigation. |
| "We are keeping in touch with them to provide information as the detail emerges. | "We are keeping in touch with them to provide information as the detail emerges. |
| "Until the investigation is completed and has been reviewed by the coroner we are unable to make any further comment on the clinical care provided." | "Until the investigation is completed and has been reviewed by the coroner we are unable to make any further comment on the clinical care provided." |