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Inquest into 10 hospital deaths | Inquest into 10 hospital deaths |
(about 10 hours later) | |
An inquest has been opened into the deaths of 10 patients at a Hampshire hospital in the late 1990s. | An inquest has been opened into the deaths of 10 patients at a Hampshire hospital in the late 1990s. |
The deaths at Gosport War Memorial Hospital between 1996 and 1999 were the subject of a lengthy investigation by Hampshire police. | The deaths at Gosport War Memorial Hospital between 1996 and 1999 were the subject of a lengthy investigation by Hampshire police. |
In December 2006, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said there was not enough evidence to charge anyone. | In December 2006, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said there was not enough evidence to charge anyone. |
Some families claimed patients had died after sedatives like diamorphine were over-prescribed by staff. | Some families claimed patients had died after sedatives like diamorphine were over-prescribed by staff. |
Hampshire police conducted two investigations into the deaths, the first of which was the subject of complaints to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC). | Hampshire police conducted two investigations into the deaths, the first of which was the subject of complaints to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC). |
The second investigation, which looked into the deaths of 90 patients, resulted in 10 files being passed to the CPS. | The second investigation, which looked into the deaths of 90 patients, resulted in 10 files being passed to the CPS. |
'Insufficient evidence' | 'Insufficient evidence' |
But last year the Portsmouth and South East Hampshire coroner asked for the police files, and opened and anjourned the inquest into the 10 deaths on Wednesday. | But last year the Portsmouth and South East Hampshire coroner asked for the police files, and opened and anjourned the inquest into the 10 deaths on Wednesday. |
Brian Cunningham, who was one of the 10 patients, went into the hospital because of bedsores and later died. | |
His death certificate said he died from bronchial pneumonia, but his family are convinced it was because of an overdose of morphine. | His death certificate said he died from bronchial pneumonia, but his family are convinced it was because of an overdose of morphine. |
His step-son Charles Farthing said: "It's been in my mind ever since it happened, I can never forget it and there will never be closure until someone is brought to task. | His step-son Charles Farthing said: "It's been in my mind ever since it happened, I can never forget it and there will never be closure until someone is brought to task. |
"It's as simple as that, I won't rest on the issue. | "It's as simple as that, I won't rest on the issue. |
"I just hope the coroner will find a correct cause of death and there will be enough evidence from the inquest for the CPS to reopen its case." | "I just hope the coroner will find a correct cause of death and there will be enough evidence from the inquest for the CPS to reopen its case." |
It was the death of Gill Mackenzie's 91-year-old mother Gladys Richards that prompted the first police investigation in 1998. | |
Gill Mackenzie was the first person to go to the police after her mother died | Gill Mackenzie was the first person to go to the police after her mother died |
Gill Mackenzie said: "I didn't go to the police because my mother died, I went because I was convinced and I am still convinced that her death broke the law and that's why I went to the police. | Gill Mackenzie said: "I didn't go to the police because my mother died, I went because I was convinced and I am still convinced that her death broke the law and that's why I went to the police. |
"I didn't want it to happen to anybody else." | "I didn't want it to happen to anybody else." |
In December 2006, Paul Close, of the CPS, said: "I considered whether the evidence gathered by the police showed that a criminal offence had been committed, and particularly the offence of gross negligence manslaughter. | In December 2006, Paul Close, of the CPS, said: "I considered whether the evidence gathered by the police showed that a criminal offence had been committed, and particularly the offence of gross negligence manslaughter. |
"After looking at all the evidence - including that of experts - and seeking the advice of counsel, I decided there was insufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction. | "After looking at all the evidence - including that of experts - and seeking the advice of counsel, I decided there was insufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction. |
"Errors alone, no matter how catastrophic the consequences may be, do not, of themselves, amount to gross negligence." | "Errors alone, no matter how catastrophic the consequences may be, do not, of themselves, amount to gross negligence." |
Full inquests, which are likely to take several weeks and be heard in front of a jury later this year, will take place into the deaths of: Leslie Pittock, Elsie Lavender, Ruby Lake, Robert Wilson, Enid Spurgeon, Elsie Devine, Helena Service, Arthur [Brian] Cunningham, Sheila Gregory, Geoffrey Packman. |
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