Grieving family call for new probe over nurse
SHE LIED OVER QUALIFICATIONS
Others may have been exposed to harm by this
woman
A NURSE who lied about her qualifications and tried to cover up a mistake that led to a patient’s death is facing calls for a new police probe.
Katherine Hutchinson was never prosecuted or disciplined when Fiona Thorne died in 2010.
Now an inquest has heard how she gave Fiona, 36, a fatal dose of a powerful medication intended for another care home resident.
When the nurse realised her mistake she did not call an ambulance or begin CPR, it was said.
Fiona’s parents Bob and Lesley Hall have asked police for a fresh investigation.
Lesley, 71, said: “We thought Fiona was safe. Now we discover she was 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 and I fear that other residents may have been exposed to harm from this woman. “Police should reopen the investigation.” A criminal probe only began two years after Fiona’s death but no charges were brought because of insufficient evidence. The inquest was held up by a series of admin problems.
This month’s hearing in Chesterfield, Derbys, heard that Hutchinson was a trained nurse but had lied about having a nursing degree.
Grandmother
She gave Fiona, who had learning difficulties, anti-psychotic drug clozapine at Whitwell Park Care Home, which the inquest heard “prompted” a cardiac arrest. On realising her mistake, she put Fiona in bed until a carer found her later and raised the alarm.
The care home “did not of itself initiate any meaningful investigation” and Hutchinson was allowed to carry on working.
In a narrative verdict, coroner Dr Robert Hunter said: “The failures to acknowledge the drug maladministration and seek medical attention were gross failures… Miss Thorne’s death was contributed to by neglect.”
Lesley, from Sheffield, who has two other children, added: “No one has been properly held to account. Even after all this time, something ought to be done.
“Fiona might have stood a chance of surviving if Hutchinson had got help immediately.”
The Crown Prosecution Service said it would look at a new file if police submitted one.
Now retired, Hutchinson, 64, a grandmother, refused to comment.
Whitwell Park changed owners in 2015 and is rated “good” by the social care watchdog. It said: “The coroner was satisfied there was a very low risk of such an incident happening again as there are enough checks and balances.”
Derbyshire council said it conducted its own investigation to ensure residents’ safety.