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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| Stafford Hospital death investigated by HSE | Stafford Hospital death investigated by HSE |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A criminal investigation into the death of a diabetic woman at Stafford Hospital in 2007 has been launched, the Health and Safety Executive has said. | |
| Gillian Astbury, 66, from Hednesford, died after going into a diabetic coma at the scandal-hit hospital. | Gillian Astbury, 66, from Hednesford, died after going into a diabetic coma at the scandal-hit hospital. |
| An inquest in 2010 found the failure to administer insulin amounted to a gross failure to provide basic care. | An inquest in 2010 found the failure to administer insulin amounted to a gross failure to provide basic care. |
| The HSE said the decision to launch an investigation was deferred until after a public inquiry. | The HSE said the decision to launch an investigation was deferred until after a public inquiry. |
| A report by the chair Robert Francis QC into a higher than expected number of deaths at the hospital was published earlier in the year. | A report by the chair Robert Francis QC into a higher than expected number of deaths at the hospital was published earlier in the year. |
| Mrs Astbury was admitted to the hospital in April 2007 after a fall and was being treated for fractures to her arm and pelvis. | |
| The inquest in 2010 at Stafford Coroners Court heard Mrs Astbury's blood sugar levels were not properly monitored and insulin was not administered on the day before her death, despite being prescribed by doctors. | |
| The jury returned a narrative verdict and said a failure by nursing staff to record glucose levels, communicate effectively and read clinical notes contributed to her death. | |
| Back in time | |
| One of the nurses who looked after her told the inquest she was "shocked" when she first started working at Stafford Hospital. | |
| Senior staff nurse Patricia King told the hearing: "It was like going back 20 years coming to this ward." | |
| She said staff on the ward had to "muddle through" in poor conditions, with no office or nursing station and a shortage of nurses and support workers. | |
| An HSE spokesperson said: "We can now confirm that our inspectors have today formally started an investigation. | |
| "Our focus will be on establishing whether there is evidence of the employer (the Trust) or individuals failing to comply with their responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work Act." | "Our focus will be on establishing whether there is evidence of the employer (the Trust) or individuals failing to comply with their responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work Act." |
| The Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust has renewed its apology to her family. | |
| 'Dreadful care' | |
| Julie Hendry, from the trust said: "Mrs Astbury's death was reported as a serious untoward incident at the time and a full investigation into her care and treatment was carried out. | |
| "The recommendations from that investigation were implemented. Actions included raising staff awareness about the care of diabetic patients and improving the information and system for nurse handovers. | |
| "In 2010 we reviewed Mrs Astbury's dreadful care and as a result, disciplinary action was taken. | |
| "We will of course cooperate fully with the Health and Safety Executive's investigation." | |
| A police investigation was launched after her death, but the Crown Prosecution Service ruled there was insufficient evidence to bring charges. | |
| In a statement, Staffordshire Police said: "The matter was also referred to the Health and Safety Executive, which has now decided to carry out its own investigation. | |
| "Staffordshire Police and the HSE form part of the multi-agency group that is reviewing information brought to light by the Francis Inquiry Report." |