Hospital Staff charged with patient Manslaughter

THREE members of staff from St Richard's Hospital have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter after a 77-year-oldwoman  died of a suspected drug overdose.

Joan Dixon, of High Street, Findon, near Worthing, died at the Chichester hospital on October 19 last year.

Pathologists have now confirmed the cause of death was digoxin toxicity – an overdose of a drug used to treat heart conditions.

A 23-year-old woman and a man aged 37, from Chichester, and a man aged 40 from Emsworth, have been arrested and released on bail until November 29 and 30.

A Sussex Police spokesman said: "The incident has been referred to the Crown Prosecution Service and St Richard's Hospital is assisting police with the investigation."

The staff involved are not currently working on the hospital wards or involved in direct contact with patients, but do you feel safe when you're in hsopital ?  What are your experiences of St Richards and other local hospitals ?  Has the level of care diminshed since the government cutbacks ?  Post and let us know your experiences.