Family of actor claims he was ‘killed by the NHS’

The family of actor Howard Lew Lewis has claimed the Blackadder star was killed by a drug overdose administrated by the NHS.

The 76-year-old, also known as “Lewy”, died on 20 January in Glen House community hospital in Edinburgh where he was being treated for dementia.

But his family has accused the hospital of unexpectedly changing his medication just before Christmas.

Police have now reportedly launched an investigation into his death after claims from his family that his medication was changed.

Mrlewis’daughter,deborah Milazzo, told a Sunday newspaper: “My dad was killed by the NHS. They killed him. Justice needs to be done.

“We’ll all get old at some point. The question is, when are they going to do the same to us? This is happening all over the place and it’s terrible that people have to die before anyone takes any notice.”

She added: “My father didn’t have cancer, he didn’t have heart disease. They suddenly just changed his medication and it was the new medication that killed him,” she said.

Known to fans as Lewy, the actor had been in the early stages of dementia. He was reportedly being administrated a combination of Alfentanil, an opiate about 30 times stronger than oral morphine, and Midazolam, a sedative used in end-of-life care.

Medical records, seen by the Mail On Sunday, appear to show that Alfentanil was pumped through a line in combinationwithmidazolam, a sedative that prevents the creation of new memories. 0 Howard Lew Lewis died in Edinburgh on 20 January

The newspaper said that a former NHS senior executive confirmed that this combination of drugs would only be appropriate for a patient in the terminal phase of a malignant disease.

Dr Tracey Gillies, medical directorofnhslothiantrust, said: “Our condolences are with Mr Lewis’ family at this sad time.

“It would not be appropriate to discuss any details from his medical record.

“All of the normal procedures, which include informing the procurator fiscal of his death have been carried out. If any of the family have concerns or questions they should make contact with us.”

Mr Lewis was a much-loved character actor who worked alongside stars ranging from Rowan Atkinson to Ronnie Barker.

He appeared in Blackadder, Brush Strokes and Open All Hours.

He was perhaps best known for his role as Rabies in the BBC children’s programme Maid Marian And Her Merry Men, which starred Mr Lewis’s close friend Sir Tony Robinson in the lead role. He also starred ashal,oneofrobinhood’sfollowers, in the 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.