Southend hospital trust fined over fatal fall
Southend University Hospital NHS Trust has been prosecuted for serious safety breaches after a vulnerable patient fell from a third floor window to his death in July 2010.
Robin Blowes, 69, from Blackmore in South Essex, died after falling nine metres through a window that was fitted only with a single restrictor. He had only recently been moved to a separate room for his own safety after becoming confused and agitated.
Southend Crown Court heard today (1 July 2013) that Mr Blowes was admitted for a bladder operation in June 2010. During his recovery he developed signs of confusion and was moved to a side room when his symptoms worsened. A security guard was posted outside to ensure he did not leave the ward.
On the evening of 4 July, Mr Blowes fell through the window opening in his third floor room. He sustained serious injuries and was treated in the hospital’s emergency department where he died the same evening.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), which brought today’s prosecution, identified that Southend University Hospital’s arrangements for managing the risk of patients falling from windows were inadequate.
HSE found the window of Mr Blowes’ room was fitted only with a single, angle bracket restrictor, which was bent to one side allowing the window to be fully opened.
Guidance has been in place since 1989 stating that windows in hospitals where there are vulnerable patients should be restricted to a maximum opening of just ten centimetres to prevent falls.
Southend University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, of Prittlewell Chase, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. The Trust was fined £15,000 with £15,000 in costs.
