Mansfield widow calls for 'lessons to be learned' after husband dies in hospital fall

Barry Newton was treated for a lung infection at King’s Mill Hospital, Sutton in January 2018 when he began complaining of hallucinations, believed to be caused by antibiotics.

One morning he was found lying on the floor at the side of his bed after a fall. Barry had also been diagnosed with leukaemia, and found to have a fractured left hip. He went on to have surgery but developed infections, including osteomyelitis and sepsis. He died in September 2018, aged 67.

A Serious Incident Report published by Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the hospital, found there was “a failure by nursing staff to recognise and act upon the acute onset of hallucinations and risk assess based on this new event.”

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The trust admitted a breach of duty in that Barry was administered medication that “causes acute onset of hallucinations” but “no nursing intervention was completed to ensure falls prevention occurred.”

They accepted that “on the balance of probabilities, appropriate nursing intervention would have prevented” Barry’s fall and “avoided” his hip fracture and subsequent infection, including osteomyelitis.”

Rebecca Hall, specialist medical negligence lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing Barry’s family, said: “If appropriate measures had been in place his family believe he wouldn’t have fallen out of bed and wouldn’t have suffered his injuries. Barry wouldn’t have undergone the subsequent procedures and treatment.”

Barry, previously a brick layer, was married to Irene, for 45 years. They had three children, but lost their eldest daughter aged 17. He was a keen Mansfield Town supporter.

Irene, 66, said: “The last two years have been incredibly difficult. Barry was the most loving husband and dad, and always enjoyed spending time with his family.

“After his fall, Barry struggled a lot with pain, he was getting infection after infection. It upset us that he was in hospital for so long. By the time he got home, he was very unwell.

“Watching him deteriorate so quickly was heartbreaking but he fought bravely to the end. I will always be proud of him for that.

“As a family we are grateful that the investigation has brought to light the failings, so that these can be learned from. We wouldn’t want anyone else to go through the devastation we have.”

Trust Medical Director, David Selwyn said: “Sherwood Forest Hospitals Trust would like to apologise for the trust’s failings in Mr Newton’s care, we know this is not acceptable and is not the level of care that we aspire to provide for our patients.

"We fully investigated this fall immediately in 2018 and the full investigation report was shared with Mr Newton’s family when we met with them face to face to apologise for the trust’s failings.

“While Mr Newton’s fall occurred two years ago, our investigation findings highlighted a number of areas that we could improve the care provided for our patients and also the way

in which we train our staff in these situations.

“We know this does not change the outcome for Mr Newton’s family, but we would like to reassure them that robust procedures have been put in place to minimise future

risks of this kind.”

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