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Patient inquests to take evidence | Patient inquests to take evidence |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Inquests into the deaths of 10 elderly patients, following allegations that painkillers were over-prescribed, are expected to begin hearing evidence. | Inquests into the deaths of 10 elderly patients, following allegations that painkillers were over-prescribed, are expected to begin hearing evidence. |
All the deaths happened at the Gosport War Memorial Hospital, in Hampshire, between 1996 and 1999. | |
Police launched investigations into the deaths of 92 patients at the hospital but no prosecutions have been brought. | Police launched investigations into the deaths of 92 patients at the hospital but no prosecutions have been brought. |
The inquests, which are expected to last for several weeks, were opened on Wednesday when a jury was sworn in. | The inquests, which are expected to last for several weeks, were opened on Wednesday when a jury was sworn in. |
Palliative care | Palliative care |
Portsmouth and South East Hampshire Coroner Andrew Bradley told the jury each of the 10 patients had gone to the hospital for palliative care but had died while there. | Portsmouth and South East Hampshire Coroner Andrew Bradley told the jury each of the 10 patients had gone to the hospital for palliative care but had died while there. |
He told the jury that it would be hearing evidence from, among others, Dr Jane Barton who was "during the relevant time... the clinician primarily involved". | He told the jury that it would be hearing evidence from, among others, Dr Jane Barton who was "during the relevant time... the clinician primarily involved". |
Families of some of the patients involved believe that painkillers, such as diamorphine, were over-prescribed, leading to their relatives' deaths. | Families of some of the patients involved believe that painkillers, such as diamorphine, were over-prescribed, leading to their relatives' deaths. |
An inquiry has been held into the deaths by the Commission for Health Improvement, which criticised prescribing practices at the hospital. | An inquiry has been held into the deaths by the Commission for Health Improvement, which criticised prescribing practices at the hospital. |
England's chief medical officer Sir Liam Donaldson also commissioned an audit to examine death rates in 2002. | England's chief medical officer Sir Liam Donaldson also commissioned an audit to examine death rates in 2002. |
Mr Bradley told the jury the report, by Professor Richard Baker, would not be included in the hearing because it was too directional and could raise issues of liability. | Mr Bradley told the jury the report, by Professor Richard Baker, would not be included in the hearing because it was too directional and could raise issues of liability. |
The families would be able to see the report after the hearing had finished, he said. | The families would be able to see the report after the hearing had finished, he said. |
'No blame' | 'No blame' |
Mr Bradley has told the jury their role is to establish the causes of death and not to apportion blame. | Mr Bradley has told the jury their role is to establish the causes of death and not to apportion blame. |
The inquests are into the deaths of Arthur Cunningham, 79, of Gosport, on 26 September, 1998; Elsie Devine, 88, on 21 November, 1999; Sheila Gregory, 91, of Gosport, on 22 November, 1999 and Ruby Lake, 84, of Gosport, on 21 August, 1998. | The inquests are into the deaths of Arthur Cunningham, 79, of Gosport, on 26 September, 1998; Elsie Devine, 88, on 21 November, 1999; Sheila Gregory, 91, of Gosport, on 22 November, 1999 and Ruby Lake, 84, of Gosport, on 21 August, 1998. |
The other deaths were those of Elsie Lavender, 83, of Gosport, on 6 March, 1996; Geoffrey Packman, 67, of Emsworth, on 3 September, 1999; Leslie Pittock, 82, on 24 January, 1996; Helena Service, 99, of Gosport, on 5 June, 1997; Enid Spurgin, 92, of Gosport, on 13 April, 1999, and Robert Wilson, 75, of Sarisbury Green, on 18 October, 1998. | The other deaths were those of Elsie Lavender, 83, of Gosport, on 6 March, 1996; Geoffrey Packman, 67, of Emsworth, on 3 September, 1999; Leslie Pittock, 82, on 24 January, 1996; Helena Service, 99, of Gosport, on 5 June, 1997; Enid Spurgin, 92, of Gosport, on 13 April, 1999, and Robert Wilson, 75, of Sarisbury Green, on 18 October, 1998. |
Justice Secretary Jack Straw gave permission for the inquests to go ahead last year. | Justice Secretary Jack Straw gave permission for the inquests to go ahead last year. |