Man 'dismissed by hospital because of drug use'

A man who died after a hospital failed to carry out "important" medical checks was "discriminated against" because of his history of Spice use, his sister has said.

An inquest jury found neglect contributed to the death of Wayne Lammond, from Chester, after he was admitted to the Countess of Chester Hospital in November 2021.

His sister, Ann Mawdsley, said her brother was "dismissed" by hospital staff and police who "didn't want to help him because he had an addiction".

The hospital trust said it accepted the inquest conclusion and extended its "deepest sympathies" to Mr Lammond's family.

Cheshire Police said it "categorically disputes" any allegations that its officers' actions contributed to Mr Lammond's death.

Mr Lammond was taken to hospital in an ambulance called by his sister in the early hours of 20 November 2021 when she said he was experiencing one of "a number of psychotic episodes" which she believed were linked to his decision to stop taking anti-psychotic medication three months earlier.

The jury at his inquest recorded that he was admitted because of "a rapid decline in his mental health and reported use of Spice" the previous day.

After he was transferred into a hospital bed, the jury's conclusion records that "a number of important medical checks and actions did not take place" which they said "resulted in a rapid deterioration of Wayne's condition and subsequent cardiac arrest".

Ms Mawdsley said that when her brother got to the hospital "they heard the word Spice and that was it".

"Instead of competent medical care, Wayne was restrained four times, which would have been extremely distressing for him in his mental state, and then failed to receive even the basic care and attention he needed," she said.

"They should have treated him with respect and fairness, not discriminated against him because he's an addict," she said.

Sue Pemberton, deputy chief executive officer at the hospital trust, said: "The trust accepts the conclusion reached by the jury and has reflected thoroughly on the care provided."

"On this occasion our security team’s response was professional and respectful for everyone involved,", she added.

The inquest recorded that Mr Lammond had schizophrenia and "a prolonged Spice dependency" since 2009.

Ms Mawdsley said she had attempted to get her brother sectioned in a mental health unit in the months before his death but "every appointment he went to he was dismissed, because of Spice".

Mr Lammond's family also accused police officers who were at his bedside of failing to call for help from healthcare staff when he stopped breathing.

The force "categorically disputes" these accusations.

A Cheshire Police spokesperson said: "While we understand that this is a difficult time for the family, we would categorically dispute their claim that the actions of Cheshire Police were a factor contributing to his death", which they said was "not borne out" in evidence heard in the inquest.

One of Mr Lammond's other sisters, Natasha Walker, said: "The fact we have not received an apology from anyone involved continues to add to the trauma, as well as the difficulties we had in finding out the truth over the last three years."

Nicola Miller, from the family's solicitors Broudie Jackson Canter, said his family was "understandably devastated to have heard that his life could have been saved if it wasn’t for the failures of those responsible for his care".

She said they were "intent on getting some semblance of justice for Wayne's death" through the civil courts.

If you, or someone you know, has been affected by addiction, visit BBC Action Line for information and support.

Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas to [email protected] and via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.