Mencap urges action on hospital deaths

23 Jan 2009

The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman should condemn the NHS over the deaths of 6 vulnerable patients, says the charity Mencap.

The health watchdog is due to rule on the cases, highlighted by Mencap, later in January 2009.

The cases include that of Martin Ryan, who died after spending 26 days in hospital with no food.

Mr Ryan was admitted to hospital after suffering a stroke. This made it difficult for him to swallow and Mr Ryan, who had Down ’s syndrome, died of starvation after hospital staff failed to fit a feeding tube.

Mencap highlighted the cases in a report published in 2007. Mark Goldring, the charity’s chief executive, said: “Our report exposed the horrific deaths of six people with a learning disability who died unnecessarily in NHS care.

“The Ombudsman’s reports must condemn the appalling failings of the NHS in these six cases.”

Guy Forster, a medical law expert from Patientlawyers.com, said: “The failures identified in these tragic cases must serve as a warning to all those involved in the care of vulnerable patients. We await the Ombudsman's ruling with great interest.”

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