Blackpool Victoria Hospital Stroke Unit Under Police Investigation for Patient Neglect and Corporate Failings

Blackpool Victoria Hospital’s stroke unit is at the centre of a major police investigation into allegations of neglect, mistreatment, and possible corporate failings. Lancashire Police have confirmed that the inquiry – known as Operation Bermuda – is considering offences including corporate manslaughter, corporate ill-treatment, wilful neglect, and breaches of the Health and Safety at Work Act.

The investigation, which covers the period between 2014 and 2018, follows the conviction of five healthcare workers in 2023 for drug offences, including sedating patients with powerful drugs to keep them quiet. Two of the staff, nurse Catherine Hudson and healthcare worker Charlotte Wilmot, were jailed after the court heard how patients had been inappropriately given the sedative Zopiclone.

While none of the patients connected to those convictions died, police enquiries have since uncovered additional disturbing concerns. In 2021, it also emerged that police were reviewing the deaths of eight other patients treated on the unit in 2018 as part of allegations of mistreatment and neglect. Those inquests remain outstanding.

The hospital trust has undergone significant leadership changes since 2018 and has stated that it is fully cooperating with the police.

Patients and Families Seeking Answers

The scale of the investigation highlights the serious concerns raised by families and former patients about the care received on the stroke unit. At Fletchers Solicitors, our Medical Negligence team has already been approached by individuals affected during this period who are seeking justice and accountability.

Christian Beadell, Partner in our Medical Negligence team and Head of Group Actions, said:

“We have been approached to help people treated within the stroke unit and have had first-hand accounts of the care people received. I think the investigation is another step forward to seeking answers. Transparency and openness are incredibly important when healthcare professionals are dealing with patients.

It strikes me that if people felt they could come forward earlier then some of these incidents may not have occurred. You don’t expect to encounter these types of issues when you are critically ill and we hope that the investigation can surface the responsibility for some of these things on an organisational level.

This is reflective of the severity of what has taken place, and the hope is that lessons from this will be learned across other NHS Trusts to prevent something like this happening again.”

Support for Those Affected

Fletchers Solicitors has a strong track record of representing patients and families in cases where systemic failings have caused harm. Our team understands the devastating impact that poor care can have, especially in critical settings like stroke units, where patients are at their most vulnerable.

If you or a loved one were treated at Blackpool Victoria Hospital’s stroke unit between 2014 and 2018 and have concerns about the care received, our specialist team can help you understand your options, and seek justice for something which should never have happened.

Contact our Medical Negligence team today for a free, confidential discussion.