Hospital admits faults led to dad's death

South Downs Health NHS Trust faces an unlimited fine after John Tilling died when he fell from a hoist as he was moved to his bed at the Nevill Hospital, Hove.

The trust yesterday pleaded guilty to violating health and safety procedures which contributed to his death.

Nurses Mariola Torch and Shaun Nye used an oversized sling as they hoisted the pensioner from his wheelchair to his bed in April 2005, Brighton magistrates heard.

Mr Tilling, a retired engineer, of Eastern Road, Brighton, slipped through the bottom of the sling, hitting his head on the floor and suffering a heart attack.

Paramedics did not attempt to resuscitate the pensioner because he had apparently signed a form stating he did not wish to be revived in the event of a heart attack.

But, challenged by relatives, the trust has been unable to produce the form, according to Mr Tilling's son Paul, 54, a train driver, of Upper Lewes Road, Brighton.

He said: "If the trust invested as much time and expense into discharging its duty of care to my father and its own staff as it has in attempting to mitigate its culpability my father might still be alive.

"There are a lot of other unanswered questions. Where is the so-called 'do not resuscitate' order which permitted a room full of people to stand around and watch him die?

"If the trust thinks this is over, it is wrong." Mr Tilling is pursuing a separate compensation claim against the trust.

The prosecution was brought by the Health and Safety Executive after a lengthy investigation.

Mr Tilling was suffering from dementia and a post mortem examination discovered he had chronic heart disease.

Michael Malonas, representing the trust, told the court: "We accept fully it was not an appropriate way to lift him.

"There were clearly defects in the system and the wrong equipment was in place."

Magistrates decided their sentencing powers, which include fines of up to £20,000, were inadequate and passed the case to Lewes Crown Court.