Skip to main content
IOSH Magazine: Safety, Health and Wellbeing in the world of work - return to the homepage IOSH Magaazine logo
  • Visit IOSH Magazine on Facebook
  • Visit @ioshmagazine on Twitter
  • Visit IOSH Magazine on LinkedIn
Non-verbal communication
How to build trust
March/April 2023 issue

Main navigation

  • Home
    • Browse previous issues
    • Member accolades
    • Member tributes
  • Health
    • Mental health and wellbeing
      • Bullying
      • Drugs and alcohol
      • Mental health
      • Stress
      • Wellbeing
    • Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)
      • Ergonomics
      • Manual handling
      • Vibration
    • Occupational cancer
      • Asbestos
      • Hazardous substances
      • Radiation
  • Safety
    • Incident management
      • Chemicals
      • Electricity
      • Fire
      • First aid
      • Slips and trips
    • Non-health related fatalities
      • Road safety
      • Work at height
    • Risk management
      • Confined spaces
      • Disability
      • Legionella
      • Lifting operations
      • Lone workers
      • Noise
      • Personal protective equipment
      • Violence at work
      • Work equipment
      • Workplace transport
  • Management
    • Human factors
      • Accident reduction
      • Behavioural safety
      • Control of contractors
      • Migrant workers
      • Older workers
      • Reporting
      • Safe systems of work
      • Sickness absence
      • Young workers
    • Leadership and management
      • Employee involvement
      • Management systems
    • Management standards
      • ISO 45001
      • ISO 45003
    • Planning
      • Assurance
      • Compliance
      • Emergency planning
      • Insurance
    • Rehabilitation
      • Personal injury
      • Return to work
    • Strategy
      • Corporate governance
      • Performance/results
      • Regulation/enforcement
      • Reputation
    • Sustainability
      • Human capital and Vision Zero
  • Skills
    • Communication
    • Personal performance
      • Achieving Fellowship
      • Career development
      • Competencies
      • Personal development
      • Professional skills
      • Qualifications
    • Stakeholder management
    • Working with others
      • Leadership
      • Future Leaders
  • Jobs
  • Covid-19
  • Knowledge Bank
    • Back to basics
    • Book club
    • Infographics
    • Podcast
    • Reports
    • Webinars
    • Videos
  • Products & Services
  • Management
    • Human factors
      • Sickness absence
      • Accident reduction
      • Behavioural safety
      • Control of contractors
      • Migrant workers
      • Older workers
      • Reporting
      • Safe systems of work
      • Young workers
    • Leadership and management
      • Employee involvement
      • Leadership
      • Management systems
    • Management standards
      • ISO 45001
      • ISO 45003
    • Planning
      • Assurance
      • Compliance
      • Emergency planning
      • Insurance
    • Strategy
      • Corporate governance
      • Performance/results
      • Regulation/enforcement
      • Reputation
    • Sustainability
      • Human capital and Vision Zero
  • Health
    • COVID-19
    • Mental health and wellbeing
      • Bullying
      • Drugs and alcohol
      • Mental health
      • Stress
      • Wellbeing
    • Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)
      • Ergonomics
      • Manual handling
      • Vibration
    • Occupational cancer
      • Asbestos
      • Hazardous substances
      • Radiation
  • Safety
    • Incident management
      • Chemicals
      • Electricity
      • Fire
      • First aid
      • Slips and trips
    • Non-health related fatalities
      • Road safety
      • Work at height
    • Risk management
      • Confined spaces
      • Disability
      • Legionella
      • Lifting operations
      • Lone workers
      • Noise
      • Personal protective equipment
      • Violence at work
      • Work equipment
      • Workplace transport
  • Skills
    • Communication
    • Personal performance
      • Career development
      • Competencies
      • Personal development
      • Qualifications
      • Professional skills
      • Achieving Fellowship
    • Stakeholder management
    • Working with others
      • Leadership
      • Future Leaders
  • Transport and logistics
  • Third sector
  • Retail
  • Mining and quarrying
  • Rail
  • Rehabilitation
    • Personal injury
    • Return to work
  • Utilities
  • Manufacturing and engineering
  • Construction
  • Sector: IOSH Branch
    • Sector: Northern Ireland
    • Sector: Midland
    • Sector: Merseyside
    • Sector: Manchester and North West Districts
    • Sector: Ireland East
    • Sector: Ireland
    • Sector: Edinburgh
    • Sector: Desmond-South Munster
    • Sector: Qatar
    • Sector: Oman
    • Singapore
    • Sector: South Coast
    • Sector: South Wales
    • Sector: Thames Valley
    • Sector: Tyne and Wear
    • Sector: UAE
    • Sector: West of Scotland
    • Sector: Yorkshire
  • Healthcare
  • Sector: Fire
  • Sector: Financial/general services
  • Sector: Energy
  • Education
  • Sector: Communications and media
  • Chemicals
  • Sector: Central government
  • Catering and leisure
  • Agriculture and forestry
  • Sector: Local government
  • Sector: IOSH Group
    • Sector: Financial Services
    • Sector: Sports Grounds and Events
    • Rural industries
    • Sector: railway
    • Public Services
    • Sector: Offshore
    • Sector: Hazardous Industries
    • Sector: Food and Drink
    • Sector: Fire Risk Management
    • Education
    • Construction
    • Sector: Aviation and Aerospace
Quick links:
  • Home
  • Categories
  • Topics
  • Safety
  • Incident management
  • Slips and trips
Healthcare
News

Hospital’s poor patient protection leads to £333,000 fine for NHS Trust

Open-access content Thursday 30th November 2017
From the archive:  Just so you know, this article is more than 3 years old.

Hospital's poor patient protection leads to £333,000 fine for NHS Trust

The patients, aged between 72 and 92, sustained fatal injuries after falling while in the care of hospitals run by the trust. Four fell at the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford; the fifth died of injuries at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital. The deaths took place between June 2011 and November 2012.

The HSE found a lack of close supervision of those in a confused mental state. Investigating officers found poor communication about the measures to stop frail patients falling had made the situation worse.

Mohan Singh, 74, was admitted to the Princess Royal Hospital on 15 June 2011. Staff were advised that he should have enhanced supervision, which involved bed watching. At about 4am on 17 June 2011, Mohan fell to the floor and sustained a bilateral subdural haematoma. He died on 21 July 2011.

After Eileen Thomson, 81, was admitted to the Princess Royal Hospital on 3 May 2012, she had three falls. Following the third fall a tomography scan revealed she had a subdural bleed. She died on 16 May 2012.

Edna Evans, 92, was admitted to the Princess Royal Hospital on 2 October 2012. She suffered a fall on 3 October. An x-ray confirmed a fracture to her shoulder. She was discharged on 24 October. She died at home on 30 October. Her post-mortem found that the injury she sustained from her fall contributed to her death.

Ada Clarke, 91, was admitted to the Princess Royal Hospital on 24 October 2012. Five days later, another patient saw she was trying to get out of her bed. A few moments later, Clarke was found at the side of her bed having fallen. She died later that evening.

Gerald Morris, 72, was admitted to the accident and emergency department at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital on 5 October 2012, having fallen at home. On 11 October Gerald fell while walking to the bathroom and was diagnosed four days later with a fractured left hip. He underwent two operations to repair his hip, but died on 18 November 2012.

At Stafford Crown Court Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust pleaded guilty to breaching s 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act. The trust was fined £333,333 and ordered to repay £130,000 in costs.

Vince Joyce, HSE's principal inspector for Shropshire, said: "In different ways, these patients were left exposed to the risk of falling which resulted in their deaths."

You may also be interested in...

Image credit: © View Pictures/REX/Shutterstock. Brent Civic Centre where the council's offices are based

 Council fined for violent mother’s assault on social workers

Friday 1st December 2017
Two London Borough of Brent social workers visited the child’s home on 21 July 2015 to carry out a safety plan assessment when the incident happened. As they were taking notes, the mother struck both social workers over the head with a metal object. One of the workers was knocked temporarily unconscious and later diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. Both received serious wounds to the head.
Open-access content
Image credit: ©iStock/knapjames

 Alberta law would let workers refuse unsafe work

Monday 4th December 2017
If passed, Bill 30: An Act to Protect the Health and Wellbeing of Working Albertans would protect those who refuse dangerous work from reprisal, including the loss of compensation or benefits. It would also ensure they are educated on potential workplace hazards.
Open-access content
Matthew Taylor

 IOSH 2017: Day 1

Monday 20th November 2017
The strongest came from IOSH chief executive Bev Messinger who launched the conference with an overview of progress on the WORK 2022 strategy that aims to improve safety and health standards worldwide by collaboration and influence. As an aside to an overview of IOSH’s aims for its WORK 2022 strategy which aims to help cut the estimated work-related death toll of 2.78 million a year by collaborating with and influencing bodies worldwide, Messinger told delegates her brother-in-law had been killed in a workplace accident on 12 October.
Open-access content
©iStock/Pablo_K

 *UPDATE* Healthcare co served enforcement notice to increase OH staffing

Thursday 16th November 2017
As we previously reported, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) launched an investigation into Ramsay Health Care (UK) Operations after an employee reported concerns in June 2014 about how its internal occupational health (OH) service was run.
Open-access content

 Multinationals plan 5.4% EHS spending rise in 2018

Monday 13th November 2017
Multinational businesses plan an average 5.4% increase in their environment, health and safety (EHS) budgets next year, according to new research by technology consultants Verdantix. A survey of 382 EHS directors in 31 countries found that 35% of respondents expect to increase spending on safety measures, while only 20% plan to raise investment in curbing greenhouse gas emissions.The survey covers EHS directors in businesses with annual revenues of at least $250 million (£191 million), including ConocoPhillips, BP and Rolls-Royce.
Open-access content
© iStock/ThomasVogel

 ISO now plans February launch for ISO 45001

Friday 10th November 2017
The publication, which is earlier than many predicted, will only happen if the ballot due on 25 January is successful, says the ISO communiqué. The working group that is part of ISO/PC 283 – the project committee developing the standard – met in Malacca City in Malaysia from 18-23 September to discuss the 1,600 comments submitted earlier this year to the public consultation on the second draft standard, DIS2.DIS2 was subject to a ballot of 69 national standards bodies in May and June and produced a result of 88% in favour of approving the latest draft.
Open-access content

Latest from News

web-morrison-shutterstock_1205515750.png

  Morrisons’ £3.5m fine is ‘a warning to all employers’, says council

Friday 24th March 2023
Morrisons supermarket has been fined £3.5 million for failing to ensure the health and safety of an epileptic employee who died after falling from a shop stairway.
Open-access content
jfc

 IOSH launches new five-year strategy

Tuesday 21st March 2023
IOSH launches its new five-year strategy this spring. It will build and act on the reshaped purpose and ambition gained during WORK 2022, which ran from 2017 to 2022.
Open-access content
web_Cranes-on-construction-site_credit_iStock-1352083784.jpg

 Risk & Compliance software provider collaborates with HSE and Costain to improve risk management on worksites

Friday 17th March 2023
A Belfast-based Risk & Compliance software provider has been collaborating with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and construction giant Costain as part of an ongoing project to unlock artificial intelligence’s (AI) potential in improving the management of risks on worksites.
Open-access content

Latest from Healthcare

web_p12-15_News-Update-NHS-staff-applauding--Getty--1220619354.png

 The critical role of healthcare workers

Wednesday 9th September 2020
The critical role played by health workers in protecting patients, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic – and action to better support this essential workforce – is brought to the fore on World Patient Safety Day.
Open-access content
Image credit: web_traffic-warden_iStock-139960986.

 Union launches guide to protect gig economy workers

Friday 13th September 2019
The public service union Unison has published a new guide for its health and safety representatives to explain how the gig economy has affected its members and what support they can provide.
Open-access content
Photo credit: iStock-159345206. The research was undertaken by researchers at Boston University

 Serious workplace injuries increase suicide risk, US study finds

Tuesday 3rd September 2019
People who have sustained serious workplace injuries are at increased risk of suicide or fatal overdose, according to a study published in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine.
Open-access content

Latest from Slips and trips

web-morrison-shutterstock_1205515750.png

  Morrisons’ £3.5m fine is ‘a warning to all employers’, says council

Friday 24th March 2023
Morrisons supermarket has been fined £3.5 million for failing to ensure the health and safety of an epileptic employee who died after falling from a shop stairway.
Open-access content
ft

 Judge dismisses John Lewis car park injury appeal

Wednesday 4th January 2023
A man who tripped in a parking bay argued that the retailer owed him a duty of care.
Open-access content
web_escalator_credit_iStock-1308544430

 Escalator safety: raising the game

Monday 22nd November 2021
An award-winning engineer and a former head of safety at John Lewis discuss the dangers of making assumptions about the causes of escalator accidents, and how best to encourage safe behaviour among members of the public.
Open-access content
Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Linked in
  • Mail
  • Print

Latest Jobs

Senior Health and Safety Manager

Reading
Up to £65000.00 per annum + Great Car Allowance & Benefits
Reference
5452983

Regional Health and Safety Advisor

Northampton
Up to £53000 per annum + Travel & Excellent Benefits
Reference
5452982

Global Health, Safety and Environment Director

Up to £150000 per annum + Excellent Benefits
Reference
5452980
See all jobs »

Sign up for regular e-alerts

Receive the latest news and features, free to your inbox

Sign up

Subscribe to IOSH magazine

Receive the print edition straight to your door

Subscribe
IOSH Covers
​
FOLLOW US
Twitter
LinkedIn
YouTube
CONTACT US
Contact us
Tel +44 (0)20 7880 6200
​

IOSH

About IOSH
Become a member
IOSH Events
MyIOSH

Information

Privacy Policy
Terms & Conditions
Cookie Policy

Get in touch

Contact us
Advertise with us
Subscribe to IOSH magazine
Write for IOSH magazine

IOSH Magazine

Health
Safety
Management
Skills
IOSH Jobs

© 2023 IOSH • IOSH is not responsible for the content of external sites

ioshmagazine.com and IOSH Magazine are published by Redactive Media Group. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any part is not allowed without written permission.

Redactive Media Group Ltd, 71-75 Shelton Street, London WC2H 9JQ