Coroner: Man who died at Wolverhampton prison received 'sub-optimal' care
A coroner said a man who died in custody received 'sub-optimal' care and raised concerns over prison staffing.
South Staffordshire coroner Andrew Haigh said he would be writing a report voicing his concerns to security firm G4S, which runs HMP Oakwood in Featherstone, and will question whether there is a problem with absences.
It comes after an inquest heard prison officers failed to call an ambulance for almost an hour as 54-year-old inmate Edward Ham lay dying.
The convicted drug dealer, was declared dead in his cell after suffering a heart attack, his inquest was told.
Mr Ham suffered from high blood pressure and complained of chest pain at around 3.30am on February 6 last year.
Officers monitored him throughout the night but did not call a doctor and at 4.52am he was found collapsed in his cell. The inquest heard the prison was understaffed and chaotic. Despite his condition it took a further 53 minutes before an ambulance was called.
Lead investigating officer Pc Nick Gorman, from Staffordshire Police, said there was a lack of accountability over who had called the ambulance.
Mr Haigh concluded Mr Ham died of ischemic heart disease. He added: "The cause of death is natural causes in a man who received sub-optimal care. I propose to make a report linked to staffing."
Mr Ham's fiancee, Gloria Payne welcomed the coroner's proposal to make a report. She said she was 'disgusted' with the lack of care her partner had received.
