According to the BBC, Sussex police are looking into over 200 cases of possible preventable deaths and life changing injuries to patients of Royal Sussex County Hospital. The investigation began in 2023 following concerns raised by two surgeon whistleblowers. The investigation focuses on incidents between 2015 and 2021, primarily in general surgery and neurology departments. Police are working with the National Crime Agency to investigate the allegations and initial speculations indicate that over 40 deaths and 65 serious injuries may have been caused by negligence.
A Sussex Police spokesperson spoke to the Independent and confirmed that individual cases are now being reviewed by specialist consultant surgeons, independent of University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, which operates the Royal Sussex County Hospital.
“The medical experts will report on their findings, and their evaluation will be considered alongside information gathered from our police enquiries to determine which cases will be progressed within the investigation,” the spokesperson said.
“Cases that do not currently meet the threshold for criminal investigation will be discontinued, and this will be communicated directly to patients and families by the investigation team.” A number of healthcare services operated by University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust are being investigated even though the majority of these services were run out of the Royal Sussex County Hospital. “
What does this mean for patients and their loved ones?
The police are conducting a criminal investigation against the Trust and those clinicians that may be held personally responsible for having materially contributed towards the injury or even death of patients. Obviously, there are some risks associated with all surgical procedures, and a poor outcome does not of itself raise concern that a crime has been committed. However, where the complication rates are significantly higher than that normally associated with that type of surgery, the police are sometimes asked to investigate the possibility of a crime having been committed. The purpose of a criminal investigation is to determine whether failings in care are over and above what can be considered accidental. Patients and loved ones deserve answers about the care they have received especially if that care has materially contributed to the deterioration of their condition or death.
How can we help?
At Enable Law we have supported hundreds of patients and their families understand whether or not the care they received fell below the expected standard, if this has had a negative impact on their lives.
Our Southampton team, led by Kym Provan, has successfully brought many cases against University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust. If you or a loved one have received care at one of the services provided by the Trust and feel that this care may have led to a deterioration of your condition or even led to the loss of a loved one, we can help you understand what happened and make a claim for compensation.
At Enable Law we help patients and their loved ones make civil litigation claims to get answers and compensation. The threshold for bringing a civil litigation claim for medical negligence is significantly lower than for a criminal case.
In civil cases, the burden of proof is on the claimant (the patient or their family) to demonstrate, on the balance of probabilities, that the medical professional’s actions fell below the expected standard of care and directly caused harm.
The threshold for criminal prosecution is much higher. The prosecution must prove “gross negligence,” meaning the medical professional’s actions were so reckless or disregardful of patient safety that they amounted to a criminal offence. This requires a very high level of evidence and a strong demonstration of intent or wilful disregard for patient well-being.
Contact us
We may be able to help you even if the police decide that your case does not meet the threshold for the criminal investigation. To speak to a member of our specialist team for free call us today on 0800 044 8488 or fill in our contact form so we can call you at a time convenient to you.
