Inquest reveals Altnagelvin Hospital protocol not followed

An inquest into the death of a 59-year-old Derry man who drowned in the grounds of Gransha Hospital found the Western Trust Absconding Patient Protocol was not adhered to after he went missing from Altnagelvin Hospital.

The body of William Mowbray (pictured above), of Primity Terrace, Newbuildings, was found on January 3, 2014,

three days after he had went missing during treatment at Altnagelvin Hospital. 

The cause of death was drowning.

During an inquest into his death held at Coleraine Courthouse, the court was told he suffered from depression and had a history of alcohol abuse.

Mr Mowbray had been receiving treatment after arriving at A&E in an ambulance following a seizure at home. 

While there, he became aggressive to staff and went for a cigarette. He did not return.

The court heard that the Western Trust had developed a protocol in conjunction with the PSNI which determined that police should be notified as soon as a patient absconds from care. However, this action was not taken until two hours after Mr Mowbray had left the hospital.

A extensive search operation was put in place along the banks of the River Foyle involving Mr Mowbray’s family, friends and volunteers. 

Mr Mowbray’s family discovered his body in a pool of water in the grounds Gransha Hospital on three days later.

A report by the Western Trust outlined the Absconding Patient Protocol saying that police and next of kin should be contacted immediately.

Coroner John Leckey said Western Trust staff accepted this protocol should have been followed and said the ‘key point’ was the ‘implementation of the Absconding Patient Protocol’. 

He added:  “I’m told that this has been addressed.”

Brendan Kearney, solicitor for the Mowbray family, said the family were reassured by the report but anxious that the protocol should always be adhered to so that a tragedy like this can never happen again.

Coroner Mr Leckey said he was glad that the family were reassured by the Western Trust report.

He added: “I’m sure the family will agree that the emergency department is a very pressurised place, particularly on New Year’s Eve and it certainly isn’t an easy task keeping an eye on every patient.”

Mr Leckey said that there were a number of exits at Altnagelvin Hospital but said it was ‘accepted that this protocol should have been accepted when he left the ward’.

Mr Leckey concluded by offering his sympathies to the family, a legal representative for the Western Trust also extended their condolences to the Mowbray family.