Basildon University Hospital admits safety breaches over patient's death

A hospital pleaded guilty today to breaching health and safety law in relation to the death of a severely disabled patient.

Kyle Flack, 20, of Stanford-le-Hope, Essex, died at Basildon University Hospital in October 2006 after his head became trapped in the rails surrounding a bed.

Today, the hospital admitted at Basildon Magistrates' Court to failing to ensure that patients were not exposed to risk.

It will be sentenced at a later date after magistrates committed the case to Crown Court.

After the hearing, Mr Flack's mother, Gill, described some care standards at the hospital as "absolute crap".

She said bosses should be "held accountable" and called for "staff sackings".

Lawyer Jonathan Price, for the hospital trust, entered a guilty plea and magistrates adjourned the hearing until March 15, when a judge is due to pass sentence at Basildon Crown Court.

Matthew Taylor, prosecuting on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), told magistrates that Mr Flack died at the hospital on October 12, 2006, two days after being admitted with stomach problems.

"The failings of the hospital were causative of death," Mr Taylor told magistrates. "Not only do we say that the trust's failings caused the death of Kyle but we also say they failed to heed previous warnings."