Psychiatric care cases
A v West London Mental Health NHS Trust
A had a history of serious mental illness. On the evening of 10
March 2001 A’s family called an ambulance. A was taken to A&E
at the Hospital. It was recorded that he was suffering
from psychosis with an underlying depression. A was
admitted informally to South Ward 3 which was on the 3rd floor. The
main entrance to the ward was kept locked by staff. The fire door
was in need of repair.
A became increasingly agitated and paranoid during the following
day. He was running wildly all over the ward. At about 18.20hrs, he
escaped through the fire door on the ward and ran out of the ward.
He fell through a window on the third floor, sustaining serious
injuries.
We alleged the nursing staff failed to respond to A’s agitated
behaviour throughout the day on 11 March 2001, failed to administer
sedative medication; and to ensure that A remained in a side room
where he would not have access to either of the exits from the
ward.
In addition the on-call psychiatrist, upon being informed of the
Claimant's behaviour at or about 17.20, failed to examine A
adequately.
As a result of his fall, A suffered serious injuries. He was in
a coma for an extended period. He suffered diffuse brain damage and
a fractured hip and shoulder, the latter preventing him from
ever returning to his pre-accident work as a plasterer.
After protracted negotiations Samantha
Critchley settled the case for £350,000, shortly before Trial.
Following A’s injury and due to a number of previous similar cases
within the same Trust a full internal and external independent
inquiry was carried out. One positive outcome is that the
psychiatric ward has now been moved to the ground floor.