‘Liar’ nurse gave our girl killer dose
»»Care home worker tried to cover up error
EXCLUSIVE A NURSE who lied about her qualifications and tried to cover up a mistake that caused a patient’s death was last night facing calls for a new police probe.
Katherine Hutchinson was never prosecuted or disciplined after 36-year-old Fiona Thorne, who had learning difficulties, died at a care home in 2010.
But an inquest, delayed for 12 years, has now heard Ms Hutchinson mistakenly gave Fiona a powerful medication intended for another patient. And when she realised her error she failed to call an ambulance or begin CPR.
Senior Coroner Dr Robert Hunter said she tried to cover up the mistake, taking Miss Thorne to bed and leaving her there until she was found by a care support worker.
Last night Fiona’s horrified parents Bob and Lesley Hall said a fresh investigation must be launched.
SCARRED
Mum Lesley said: “We thought Fiona was safe. But now we discover she was being cared for by a person who lied and covered up.
“It has scarred our lives, losing Fiona and having to wait so long for an inquest.
“Everything has been handled in a dreadful way. Police should reopen the investigation.”
A criminal probe was launched two years after Fiona died, but no charges were brought. The Crown Prosecution Service said there was insufficient evidence.
Ms Hutchinson, 64 and now retired, refused to answer questions when we approached her.
She was the nurse in charge at Whitwell Park Care Home in Worksop, Derbys, when she mistakenly gave Fiona powerful antipsychotic drug clozapine.
The inquest heard Ms Hutchinson, a registered trained nurse, claimed to have a degree from Sheffield University. But the Coroner said he found no record of her attending a nursing course there. Ann Gibbons, one of the home’s directors, said during the hearing there were discussions about suspending Ms Hutchinson, but she could not explain why it did not happen.
It meant she continued to work at the home – which the coroner said “continued to place other residents at risk of harm and danger”.
Delivering a narrative verdict, he said Fiona died as a result of a “high dose of clozapine, administered by her healthcare professional”.
He added “failures to acknowledge the drug maladministration and to seek medical attention were gross failures and... Miss Thorne’s death was contributed to by neglect”.
Lesley, 71, of Sheffield, said: “Fiona might have survived if Hutchinson had got help immediately.
“Even after all this time, something ought to be done.”
Derbyshire Police said it is reviewing a complaint by the family about its investigation. Whitwell Park is now under new ownership and rated
“good” by the CQC.
»»Mum & dad call for a fresh investigation