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Coroner warns of risk of future deaths at mental health unit after patient killing
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A coroner has warned that further deaths could occur at Newham Mental Health Centre in east London unless serious staffing and safety issues are addressed. The warning follows an inquest into the January 2023 death of 34-year-old Hugo Flint-Cahan, who was strangled by fellow patient Rolando Torres-Pena. The coroner concluded that neglect contributed to the death, highlighting severe failings including staff sleeping on duty, falsifying records, taking unauthorized breaks, and delays in administering CPR.
Wichtige Punkte
- Hugo Flint-Cahan, 34, was strangled by Rolando Torres-Pena at Newham Mental Health Centre in January 2023.
- Senior coroner Graeme Irvine concluded that neglect more than trivially contributed to the death after a six-day inquest.
- The coroner's report detailed serious staff failings on the night of the incident, including sleeping on the job, using phones, falsifying observation records, and taking unauthorized two-hour breaks.
- Rolando Torres-Pena pleaded guilty to manslaughter by diminished responsibility in 2023 and received an indefinite hospital order.
- The coroner noted that many of the identified failings were strikingly similar to those from a previous inquest in 2021.
- East London NHS Foundation Trust stated the failings were 'wholly unacceptable' and noted that one staff member has been sacked while four others are under investigation.