Hospital apology too little too late, says victim of 'killer' nurse

'Catalogue of failure' exposed as killer' nurse left in charge of Yorkshire hospital

Karen Hanson said she received two near fatal overdoses of morphine following a stay in hospital after she attended with her nine week-old son.

She said: "I am lucky to be alive. Few can begin to understand the trauma and distress that is felt when they are the victim of a violent act from someone in a position of trust like this and which it is now clear could have been avoided."

Ms Hanson added: "I think it is shocking that the first time an apology is given to me is only after an independent investigation has ruled out any scope for them to avoid responsibility.

"It devalues the apology somewhat when it has taken several years to receive it. The failures on the part of the management are disturbing."

And she said: "I hope the public can have the confidence in the hospital the report believes it should."

Her lawyer, Simon McKay, said: "This is a young woman who had given birth to a child and was assaulted by a nurse who was out of control and poorly managed."

He said his client had "every right to be incensed at the failures on the part of management".

Mr McKay added: "The report is a catalogue of systemic failures by the hospital and Ms Hanson was lucky to survive."

On the question of the hospital's apology, Mr McKay added: "My client is entirely reasonable in considering an apology received only after the report is published, and several years after the event, as a cynical attempt to demonstrate they actually care, and is too little too late."