Coroner to hold talks over deaths at Princess Royal Hospital

Mr John Ellery, coroner for Shropshire, wants to hold talks with the boss of Telford’s Princess Royal Hospital about concerns over patient care.

Mr Ellery is due to meet Peter Herring, the new chief executive of the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust, after presiding over three inquests this week, all relating to people who died after spending time at the PRH.

“This week I’ve heard three inquests which have raised different issues,” he said.

“I’m meeting the new chief executive to review procedures. I’ll be putting on the agenda what I’ve heard this week. Any lessons to be learned cannot be contained to this room.”

Yesterday a jury ruled Mohan Singh, 74, from Pool Close, Trench, Telford, died as a direct result of a fall at the Princess Royal Hospital.

Earlier in the week a jury decided Eileen Thomson, 82, from Stirchley Park, Telford, died after suffering a fractured skull after a fall at the hospital in May.

And another inquest heard Bridget Bennett, 85, of Sutton Hill in Telford, broke three bones while at the same hospital in October last year, though a jury decided the injuries did not cause her death.

Mr Ellery said it was important the trust learned from any mistakes.

Yesterday a jury took an hour and a half to record an accidental death verdict on Mr Singh, who died from a bleed on the brain on July 21 last year after falling over a month earlier.

He was found alone despite recommendations for him to be under constant observation. The jury said: “At the time of the fall no member of staff was present in the bay or observing Mr Singh from outside the bay.

“There was a substantial delay in Mr Singh being examined but we do not believe an earlier examination would have prevented his death.”