After a four-year justice campaign, an NHS trust has finally admitted its failings and says it is ‘truly sorry’ for the death of teenager Connor Sparrowhawk who drowned in a bath while having an epileptic seizure. An inquest later ruled that neglect contributed to his death.
Southern Health Trust was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) under Section 3 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. The Trust pleaded guilty in court in the case of 18-year-old Connor who was a patient in their care at the now-closed Slade House in Oxford in 2013.
The Trust’s interim chief Julie Dawes stated after the court case that the death of Connor, who also had learning difficulties, was ‘entirely preventable’ and apologised to his family.
Connor’s mother, Dr Sara Ryan , an academic researcher into autism, led the four-year justice campaign.
Sentence will be passed at Oxford Magistrates Court on October 12. View BBC Article .
