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Clinical Negligence Solicitors

The lead clinician in charge of Connor Sparrowhawk’s care has admitted to a string of failings over the teenager’s death (9 August 2017)

Date: 09/08/2017
Duncan Lewis, Clinical Negligence Solicitors, The lead clinician in charge of Connor Sparrowhawk’s care has admitted to a string of failings over the teenager’s death

Dr Valerie Murphy, a consultant psychiatrist, admitted to almost 30 failings during a hearing before the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service in Manchester on 7 August.

The tribunal, which is chaired by Martin Jackson, will consider whether Dr Valerie Murphy failed to carry out any risk assessment on Connor in March 2013 when he was admitted to Slade house, an allegation that Murphy currently denies. Connor Sparrowhawk was 18 years old when he drowned following an epileptic seizure in the bath at Slade House in Oxfordshire. Slade House is a Short Term Assessment and Treatment Team Unit (STATT) run by the Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust.

Chloe Fairly, on behalf of the General Medical Council, told the tribunal that an independent review had concluded that the NHS unit “lacked clinical leadership” by Dr Murphy and as a result Connor’s care had “failed significantly”. It was heard at the tribunal that an original plan was drawn up involving regular observance of Connor (every 10 minutes) because of his epilepsy. However, Dr Murphy agreed with a decision to reduce this to once an hour a month before his death, despite Connor having recently bitten his tongue, likely indicating a seizure. This decision, according to Fairly, was made without an electroencephalogram (epilepsy test) having taken place.

It was also heard at the tribunal that less than a month before Connor’s death, he had been found by staff with a bloody nose after taking a bath, claiming he was punched in the face despite being alone in the room. Dr Murphy has now accepted that she failed to consider the implications of allowing Connor to use a bath alone, even if he was being checked on roughly every 15 minutes.

Murphy admitted a failure to meet Connor’s clinical needs in relation to his epilepsy and use of the bathroom, also admitting that she did not follow National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines. Further, Murphy admitted that staff failed to develop an adequate care and detailed management plan concerning his epilepsy, and that a history of Connor’s behaviour before, during or after seizures was not obtained, and comprehensive notes about his care were not made.

This news follows recent reports that the Care Quality Commission (CQC) warned Southern Health that although some progress is being made to improve care, there is still urgent work needed to bring it up to standards. The CQC report declared that although the NHS Trust is getting better at investigating serious incidents and deaths, there are still a number of failures within the trust, notably delays in providing special mattresses for dying patients and problems providing and repairing wheelchairs.

Paul Lelliott, deputy chief inspector of hospitals, said:

“Some patients and families did express concerns that things hadn’t changed enough and they would like to see swifter action with more effective communications when things go wrong.”

Rebecca Thomas, Director of Clinical Negligence at Duncan Lewis Solicitors comments:

“Connor’s death was preventable, and although the hearing before the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service may provide further answers regarding the failings in the care provided by Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, it is likely to be of little comfort to his family who have fought for many years to discover how and why Connor died. NHS Trusts and other care providers must improve and learn from such cases if other preventable deaths are to be avoided”.

Rebecca Thomas is a Director of Clinical Negligence at Duncan Lewis. Rebecca has over 20 years of experience in her field and represents clients in a wide range of cases including claims involving cosmetic and dental negligence, surgical and orthopaedic injuries arising from delay, misdiagnosis or negligent spinal surgery, gastrointestinal and ophthalmic surgery.

Duncan Lewis Clinical Negligence Solicitors

The Duncan Lewis Clinical Negligence team has significant experience acting in a vast array of claims including wrongful death claims, accident and emergency failures, GP negligence claims, misdiagnosed fractures and other medical conditions. They also act for children and adults who have suffered profound and permanent brain, spinal or neurological injuries and associated disabilities as a consequence of failings in medical care in both NHS and private hospitals.

If you believe your medical practitioner has made a mistake and wish to claim compensation or have any questions about treatment you have received, please do not hesitate to contact our team of specialist clinical negligence solicitors on 0333 772 0409.


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