Essex hospital pleads guilty to failings over disabled man’s death

A hospital in Essex has pleaded guilty to health and safety failings over the death of a disabled man who died after getting his head stuck in the railings around his bed.

Kyle Flack, 20, from Stanford-le-Hope, who had severe cerebral palsy, was found dead at Basildon University Hospital in October 2006.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted the Basildon and Thurrock University Hospital Trust at Basildon magistrates’ court today claiming it had failed to ensure the patient’s safety.

The case has now been sent to the crown court for sentencing with the trust due to learn its fate on March 15th.

An inquest into Mr Flack’s death heard how he died of asphyxiation after his head became trapped in the railing round his bed during the night and was only discovered the following morning.

Reacting to the prosecution, Nigel Ellis, head of national inspection at the Care Quality Commission (CQC), said: "The death of Kyle Flack was an absolute tragedy. It is clear that Kyle did not receive care appropriate for his needs, and this should never be allowed to happen again."

He added the CQC had been looking "extremely closely" at the quality of care for people with learning disabilities at the trust, to gain assurances lessons have been learned.

Mr Flack’s mother Gillian also said he son’s death had been "wholly unnecessary".

The Times quotes her as saying: "All of this has shown how the needs of the most vulnerable in society are often not treated with the respect they deserve or their needs met."

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