Family pleased by investigation into Stafford Hospital Gillian Astbury tragedy
The partner of a diabetic who died at Stafford Hospital in 2007 after staff failed to give her insulin said today that it was "ridiculous" the Health and Safety Executive has only now launched a criminal investigation.
The HSE has confirmed the inquiry into the death of 66-year-old Gillian Astbury. Her partner Ron Street said: "I'm glad at least that somebody has seen some sense and there will be an investigation. But it's ridiculous it's taken six years."
A probe by the HSE had been suspended pending Robert Francis QC's report into the scandal of poor care at Stafford between 2005 and 2009. Police initially investigated Mrs Astbury's death but the Crown Prosecution Service ruled no charges could be brought.
An inquest in 2010 found the failure to administer insulin amounted to a gross failure to provide basic care.
Mrs Astbury was admitted to the hospital in April 2007 after a minor fall and was being treated for fractures to her arm and pelvis.
The inquest in 2010 heard Mrs Astbury's blood sugar levels were not properly monitored and insulin was not administered on the day before her death.
