Relatives wait for hospital deaths complaints review

The family members of patients who died at a scandal-hit hospital have said they are still waiting to hear if complaints of police corruption have been dealt with.

In 2021 the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary's response to the relatives of patients at Gosport War Memorial Hospital was "insufficient".

The watchdog called for the force to open a new complaints investigation.

A Hampshire police statement said its professional standards department was conducting a "full and thorough investigative review" and it would "continue to provide updates".

A previous inquiry blamed the hospital for the deaths of 456 patients.

Relatives have accused Hampshire police of corruption when investigating the deaths at the hospital.

They believe actions taken by officers in the initial investigation might have discredited future inquiries.

The GIRP report in 2018 found there was a "disregard for human life" of a large number of patients at the hospital from 1989 to 2000.

There was an "institutionalised regime" of prescribing and administering "dangerous" amounts of a medication that were not clinically justified, the report added.

It said Dr Jane Barton, who was found guilty of serious professional misconduct in 2010, oversaw the practice of prescribing on the wards.

No prosecutions were brought for Dr Barton.

An ongoing criminal investigation, called Operation Magenta, is being led by Kent Police after three previous ones by Hampshire Constabulary resulted in no prosecutions.

Speaking at a meeting in Fareham, David Wilson, 78, from Sarisbury Green, said: "There is no need to keep us waiting for three years.

"We simply wish for Hampshire Constabulary to be truthful."

Mr Wilson's aunt Dulcie Middleton is one of 456 patients who died at the hospital after being given opiates inappropriately between 1987 and 2001.

He said the wait for the review from Hampshire police "adds to the discontent of 20 odd years of knowing you have been lied to."

Pamela Byrne's step-father Clifford Houghton, 71, died after he was admitted to the hospital in February 1994 for a period of respite.

The Gosport Independent Panel (GIRP) report concluded the Royal Navy veteran was given opioids without appropriate clinical indication.

"It was totally unexpected" Mrs Byrne said.

She said it would be "a relief to get some justice for him".

The 81-year-old from Titchfield said if the original investigations by Hampshire Police had been conducted "properly" then her "step-dad would not have died".

She added that it is "frustrating" to still be waiting for answers.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said: "Having considered a Right to Review request, the IOPC made a direction that we should provide a full rationale to the families in relation to complaints made.

"Our Professional Standards Department have since been conducting a full and thorough investigative review of the available documentation and decisions made, in order to provide a more full explanation to them.

"As part of this, we have been providing regular updates on our progress.

"While we were conducting this review, a man representing some of the families raised further issues with officers involved in completing this, which required further referral to the IOPC for their consideration and delaying the original matter.

"The IOPC ultimately dismissed these with no further action, at which stage we were able to fully resume the ongoing review.

"This work is ongoing and we will continue to provide updates to the family as we seek to provide them the full rationale."

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