Home / Crime and Justice / Patient Found Dead After Critical Checks Missed
Patient Found Dead After Critical Checks Missed
21 Mar
Summary
- Molly should have been checked every five minutes, but most checks were missed.
- CCTV showed staff watching television instead of monitoring patients.
- An inquest revealed "gross failures" and a "dangerous culture" on the ward.
An inquest into the death of Molly has revealed significant "gross failures" in her care. The patient, who had a history of self-harm, was supposed to be checked approximately every five minutes. However, over the 15 hours leading up to her discovery on May 28, 2022, less than half of these vital observations were performed. CCTV footage showed staff members in the lounge area watching television instead of monitoring patients.
Further concerns were raised about the emergency response at the time of her death, described as "slow and chaotic." The staff member who called for an ambulance reportedly did not know the correct address. The coroner noted a "dangerous culture that harboured a lack of care" on the ward. Despite these findings, the cause of Molly's death could not be definitively determined, and it could not be stated that the treatment she received directly led to her demise.
