Ombudsman: OAP had inadequate care
A pensioner died in prison after receiving inadequate care, Prisoner Ombudsman has found
Wednesday March 10 2010
A seriously ill pensioner jailed for indecent assault died in prison after receiving inadequate medical care, a Prisoner Ombudsman report has found.
Stephen Doran, 69, from Newry, Co Down, was found dead in Maghaberry prison on June 6, 2008.
Prisoner Ombudsman Pauline McCabe's report found that medics failed to spot a decline in the condition of the seriously ill prisoner who was awaiting sentence for a string of offences.
The inmate, who had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), angina, pressure sores, problems with mobility and problems with maintaining his personal hygiene, died after his condition worsened while he was being held in the prison healthcare centre.
Mrs McCabe said: "My primary aims are to inform the coroner of my findings and to make recommendations which will help prevent similar deaths in future at Maghaberry or elsewhere in the Northern Ireland Prison Service.
"Mr Doran was in a poor state of health when he was committed to Maghaberry and he was immediately transferred to the prison healthcare centre, where he died four days later.
"Following a thorough investigation informed by the opinion of a highly qualified independent medical expert, I am making eight recommendations relating to the care of seriously ill people in prison. These concern a revision of practice in the recording systems, making observations, hospital admission criteria, and the capture of prior medical history."
The prisoner was awaiting sentencing after being convicted of 37 counts of indecent assault against adult males.
The review of his case found he had been treated by staff at the medical centre but they failed to spot a decline in his condition.
The Ombudsman said: "My recommendations have all been accepted by the Northern Ireland Prison Service and the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust, who accepted that the standard of care and treatment of Mr Doran fell short of what was normally expected. The Trust has put a Service Improvement Board in place in Maghaberry to develop and drive forward the quality of health services in prison."
