May 9, 2017 2.13 pm
This story is over 85 months old
Man’s death after being impaled on hoist would have been less likely if safety notice issued, ULHT argues
The senior health and safety manager at the Lincolnshire hospital trust which is on trial following the death of a patient today told a jury that the fatality would have been less likely to have happened if the manufacturer had issued a safety notice following a previous incident involving the equipment. The jury has heard…
The senior health and safety manager at the Lincolnshire hospital trust which is on trial following the death of a patient today told a jury that the fatality would have been less likely to have happened if the manufacturer had issued a safety notice following a previous incident involving the equipment.
The jury has heard that a “serious incident” had previously taken place at a hospital in Leicester involving an identical lifting hoist.
The Leicester incident occurred in 2007 which was five years before an incident at the Pilgrim Hospital, Boston, in which patient John Biggadike died from “catastrophic” internal injuries caused when he was impaled on part of the Arjo Encore lifting hoist which was being used to assist him.
Philippa Fitzmaurice, senior health and safety manager at United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust which runs the Pilgrim Hospital, told the jury at Lincoln Crown Court that staff at the Trust’s hospitals were given training in the use of the hoist.
Ms Fitzmaurice was asked if the death of Mr Biggadike would have been less likely if Arjo had sent out a field safety notice following the Leicester incident. She replied: “Most certainly less likely.”
Mr Biggadike, 53, who lived in Spalding, died in July 2012 from internal injuries he suffered when he fell onto a protruding metal post while being aided by the hoist.
The prosecution allege that hospital staff were not adequately trained or supervised in the use of the hoist and had removed a knee support pad which should have remained in place.
But the defence suggest Mr Biggadike’s death was not caused by failings in training but by a failure to act after a “serious incident” involving a hoist at a hospital in Leicester in 2007.
United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust denies breach of health and safety regulations by exposing non-employees to risk by failing to train, supervise and monitor its employees in relation to the safe use of the lifting hoist on dates between July 2001 and April 2012.
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Exciting news for MyLocal app users and The Lincolnite readers! Our latest update is now available to download from your app store and comes packed with the best local news experience you can enjoy.
Revamped News Feed: Enjoy faster loading times and smoother scrolling that make catching up on local news a breeze.
New Play Video Feed: Dive into a dynamic video feed that brings local stories to life in a whole new way.
Enhanced In-App Browser: Access external links quickly and efficiently, right from the app, without any distractions.
Update your MyLocal app from your app store (version 2.73) now and start enjoying these great new features today!
P.S.: Start your MyLocal membership today to support MyLocal and The Lincolnite deliver you a better local news experience and honest journalism from across Lincolnshire.
P.P.S.: We have some huge things in the pipeline, stay tuned!