Inquiry into deaths caused by overuse of Opiates at Gosport Hospital

A public inquiry into the deaths of more than 800 patients at Gosport War Memorial Hospital has revealed the full extent of how many died after they were prescribed lethal opiates.

The inquiry focused on the prescription of diamorphine, the medical name for heroin, and other powerful opiates by GPs and other staff at the hospital between 1988 and 2000 without medical justification. The enquiry began in 2014 and the number of cases under investigation for this ‘institutionalised practice of shortening lives’ has tripled.

The families believe the excessive and inappropriate use of these drugs were used by overstretched NHS medical staff to keep their loved ones sedated.

The investigation also examined the failure of health chiefs and the police to investigate the scandal at Gosport War Memorial Hospital. This is thought to include a number of deaths which were previously investigated by Hampshire Police but no prosecutions were brought.

The report also found that more than 450 people had their lives shortened after being prescribed powerful painkillers at the hospital, and that a further 200 patients were “probably” prescribed and administered with opioids without medical justification.

A review of the Gosport War Memorial Hospital in 2013 found there was an “almost routine use of opiates”.

Given the failings, delays and inconsistencies throughout the hospital, police and GMC investigations, the inquiry was backed by £13m in public money and appealed for families with concerns to come forward.

Loveness Chihoyi, Trainee Legal Executive in the Medical Negligence team at Ashtons Legal, commented: “The systemic misuse of prescribing opiates is hazardous and has led to catastrophic consequences not only to the patients involved but their families. The public inquiry will hopefully provide justice to the patients and their families who have been let down by the institutions meant to protect their loved ones”.