22.11.17
Troubled Southern Health FT admits guilt over another patient death
Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust has admitted guilt in court following the death of a patient in April 2012.
Teresa Colvin died in Woodhaven Adult Mental Health Hospital at Calmore, Hampshire, after being found unconscious by staff.
Appearing in Oxford Magistrates Court, the trust pleaded guilty and admitted it had failed the patient before the court sent proceedings to Oxford Crown Court.
Dr Nick Broughton, the trust’s chief executive said he was “profoundly sorry” that Southern had failed to keep the patient safe.
“It is clear that we should have taken action sooner to prevent this tragic outcome and undoubtedly, knowing that more could have been done will only add to the pain of Teresa’s family,” he continued.
“I sincerely apologise that the care we provided fell below the standard that we would expect. The prosecutions against the trust are extremely serious and have contributed to a wholesale programme of change.
“Extensive improvements have been made, and are continuing to improve the quality of care we provide and ensure the safety of those we look after.”
Southern was recently fined £125,000 following a court case and CQC investigation into safety concerns at Melbury Lodge, a psychiatric unit in Winchester.
The case came about because a roof at the facility was accessible to patients, leading several people to climb on top of the building, with one falling and suffering injuries.
The same trust was also at the centre of another controversy earlier in the year, when it admitted guilt for the death of Connor Sparrowhawk – an epileptic and autistic teenage patient who died at his residential care unit Slade House.
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