Seven and a half years since Sally’s death, in practical, as opposed to emotional terms, where are we now?
Summary:
Fresh Inquest: On 21 February 2022 the second inquest into Sally’s death was officially opened. There followed by a Pre-Inquest Review (PIR) which established Interested Persons (IP’s), the length of the inquest and various other procedural matters. The inquest is anticipated to be held in late September 2022.
High Court: On 1 December 2021 our application under s.13 Coroners Act 1988 requesting that the outcome of Sally’s original inquest in October 2015 be quashed and a fresh inquest ordered, was successful. The case was heard before Lady Justice Simler, Mrs Justice May and HHJ Thomas Teague QC, Chief Coroner of England and Wales. We, Sally’s family, were represented by Bridget Dolan QC, Serjeants Inn.
See section here on page Fight for Truth & Justice for more details.
Attorney General: On 18th February 2021 we were granted permission by the Attorney General to apply to the High Court for a fresh inquest.
See section here on page Fight for Truth & Justice for more details.
NMC: Following Sally’s inquest in late 2015 two nurses were referred to the NMC. A further nurse was referred in late 2016. There then followed over 6 years of investigation by the NMC, the conclusion of the final case only occurring in early 2022 with the panel making a Striking Off Order. Investigations into the other two nurses concluded in “no case to answer” for both nurses in 2020 and 2021.
See section here on page Fight for Truth & Justice for more details.
GMC: Cases relating to two senior psychiatrists were both closed in January 2020 with no further action.
See section here on page Fight for Truth & Justice for more details.
Police Investigations and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS): After Sally’s inquest there were two police investigations, the first regarding perjury and perverting the course of justice which was initially completed in November 2015. However, in January 2016, the police re-opened this investigation and added clinical negligence and corporate manslaughter to their remit. When this whole investigation was completed in late 2018 with no charges we exercised our Victim’s Right to Review (VRR) and the case was reviewed again by the Crown Prosecution Service which confirmed in March 2019 the original decision.
See section here on page Fight for Truth & Justice for more details.
Parliamentary & Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO): We submitted a complaint to the PHSO in June 2016 regarding Humber NHS Foundation Trust’s handling of an investigation into an incident on 22nd July 2014, three days before Sally died. The first report in 2019 was not fit for purpose and after we complained and met with the Ombudsman, Rob Behrens, a new investigation was undertaken which was completed in April 2020 with a partial uphold.
See section here on page Fight for Truth & Justice for more details.
Adult Safeguarding: In June 2016 a Safeguarding Adult Review in relation to Sally’s death was commenced, finally reporting in May 2019. The agencies involved included: Humber NHS Foundation Trust, Yorkshire Ambulance Service, Hull Clinical Commisioning Group, Humberside Police, City Care Health Partnership and Hull and East Yorkshire NHS Hospital Trust. The report made seven recommendations highlighting timescales for actions within a three to twelve month period.
Justice for Sally 