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Families calling for new probe into War Memorial deaths
RELATIVES of elderly patients who died at the Gosport War Memorial Hospital have called for a change in the law as they demanded a fresh criminal investigation into a GP.
Ann Reeves, Bridget Reeves, Charles Farthing and Iain Wilson met with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in London yesterday.
They put forward a dossier of evidence in a bid to persuade the CPS that Dr Jane Barton – the GP at the centre of the deaths – should face criminal charges.
The relative highlighted the findings of inquests held in Portsmouth earlier this year which concluded that medication prescribed by Dr Barton contributed to the deaths of five elderly people.
And they cited a 10-week General Medical Council hearing in the summer, in which a panel found her guilty of prescribing 'potentially hazardous' doses of powerful painkillers and sedative to patients.
While meeting the CPS, the relatives called for a change in the law.
Currently, doctors do not have to consult the patient or relatives if they start patients on palliative care treatment – called the Liverpool Pathway – including administering powerful painkillers.
But Bridget Reeves, whose grandmother Elsie Devine, 88, was among those who died at the hospital, said: 'We want to make sure there's consent from patients or next of kin. We want a law which states doctors should do that.'
The families met with the CPS back in 2006 and were told a criminal prosecution could not be pursued.
They are hoping the inquests and GMC hearing will add weight to their pleas.
Ann Reeves, Bridget's mother, said: 'We're back here again trying to persuade the CPS that there's a case to pursue.
'But we shouldn't have to search for evidence for them.
'We just want them to deal with this case as they should. We want closure on this.'
Mr Wilson, whose dad Robert, 74, died at the hospital, said: 'We're nearer now than we have ever been. Realistically we could have answers around the corner, but I'm not hopeful.'
Solicitor John White of Blake Lapthorn, who went with the family members to meet the CPS, said: 'I was encouraged by how receptive the CPS were but they did not give any indications as to what they might decide.'
A decision is expected to be made in December.
But if the CPS decide not to pursue a prosecution, Mrs Reeves said she would consider a private prosecution.
No-one from the CPS was available to comment.
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Friday 10 February 2012
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