Dudley hospital trust to appear in court over two women's deaths
A Black Country NHS trust is to appear in court after two incidents where patients died after they were allegedly exposed to "significant risk of avoidable harm".
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has said it is bringing the prosecution against The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, for two alleged breaches of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014, relating to its responsibility to ensure people receive safe care and treatment.
The health and social care regulator has announced it is prosecuting the trust following two incidents where patients died after being allegedly exposed to significant risk of avoidable harm at Russells Hall Hospital.
The case is connected to the deaths of two patients – one of them was Natalie Billingham, from Tipton, the CQC has confirmed.
The 33-year-old mother-of-six died from sepsis at Russells Hall Hospital in March 2018, after she was originally admitted into A&E with suspected deep vein thrombosis.
After her inquest in July 2018, her brother Trevor Rawlins said his sister was ‘denied the option of survival regardless of faults’.
The CQC has also confirmed the second patient involved was Kaysie-Jane Robinson, from Netherton.
The first hearing is due to be take place at Dudley Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, April 7.
A spokesman for the Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust said: "It would be inappropriate for the trust to comment on the CQC prosecution while court proceedings are active.
"We do, however, want to reassure our patients and the public that the hospital provides a safe and compassionate environment for their care and that we continue to build upon the service improvements we have made over the last few years."
