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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Drugs led to deaths of patients | Drugs led to deaths of patients |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Five patients who died at a hospital in Hampshire in the late 1990s were prescribed too much medication, an inquest jury has ruled. | Five patients who died at a hospital in Hampshire in the late 1990s were prescribed too much medication, an inquest jury has ruled. |
| Three of those patients were given inappropriate medication, the inquest at Portsmouth Coroner's Court found. | Three of those patients were given inappropriate medication, the inquest at Portsmouth Coroner's Court found. |
| The inquest panel of five women and three men looked at the deaths of 10 patients at the Gosport War Memorial Hospital between 1996 and 1999. | The inquest panel of five women and three men looked at the deaths of 10 patients at the Gosport War Memorial Hospital between 1996 and 1999. |
| The families are now calling for a criminal investigation to be launched. | |
| Some of the relatives had long believed morphine was being over-prescribed. | |
| Three investigations | |
| Police carried out investigations into 92 patients' treatment at the hospital, but no prosecutions were brought. | Police carried out investigations into 92 patients' treatment at the hospital, but no prosecutions were brought. |
| The jury decided that in the cases of Robert Wilson, 74, Geoffrey Packman, 66, and Elsie Devine, 88, the use of painkillers was inappropriate for their condition. | The jury decided that in the cases of Robert Wilson, 74, Geoffrey Packman, 66, and Elsie Devine, 88, the use of painkillers was inappropriate for their condition. |
| It is our genuine hope that the extensive nature of the investigations conducted... provide those involved with some resolution, if not comfort Hampshire police | |
| In the cases of Leslie Pittock, Helena Service, Ruby Lake, Enid Spurgin and Sheila Gregory the jury decided that the prescription of painkillers had not contributed to their deaths. | |
| The jury heard evidence from members of the patients' families, medical experts and staff at the hospital, including Dr Jane Barton. | |
| She was the only individual to be investigated by police in connection with deaths at the hospital but she was not charged with any offence. | |
| In a statement after the verdicts the families said their relatives had been overprescribed painkillers "without justification or logic" and that they now awaited the reaction of the General Medical Council (GMC). | In a statement after the verdicts the families said their relatives had been overprescribed painkillers "without justification or logic" and that they now awaited the reaction of the General Medical Council (GMC). |
| They also said that a fresh investigation by Hampshire police was needed so that criminal charges could be brought against those responsible. | |
| However, in response Hampshire police indicated they had no plans to carry out a new investigation. | |
| "Hampshire Constabulary has conducted three separate investigations during which the Crown Prosecution Service has been fully consulted. | |
| "The evidence gathered during these investigations was shared with the coroner and heard by the jury during the course of the inquests. | |
| "It is our genuine hope that the extensive nature of the investigations conducted, the findings of the Crown Prosecution Service and now that of HM Coroner provide those involved with some resolution, if not comfort, for the loss of loved ones." |