Crime probe over Stafford hospital death

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said it had recently begun an investigation into the death of Ivy Bunn after a multi-agency review of more than 200 cases of alleged neglect.

The retired dinner lady died at the hospital in November 2008, having been admitted to hospital following a fall a week earlier.

The Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust is currently awaiting sentencing at Stafford Crown Court after admitting safety breaches relating to the death of Gillian Astbury, a diabetic patient who was not given insulin.

In a statement confirming a second criminal probe was now under way, Staffordshire Police 
said detectives had completed an initial “scoping” review of material relating to deaths at the hospital between 2005 and 2009.

In total, 209 cases have been identified for more detailed review and to date 36 have been examined by a joint team from Staffordshire Police and the HSE.

No further action is being taken in respect of 34 of the cases, but an inquiry into potential health and safety offences has now been launched into the death of Mrs Bunn.

Staffordshire’s Assistant Chief Constable, Nick Baker, said: “Our job is to thoroughly review the 209 cases to see if a criminal offence has potentially been committed.”