NHS Lothian fined over two patient deaths in falls from windows

The 55-year-old man died in October 2017, having been in the neurosurgery ward after a suicide attempt where he sustained a head injury.

He died after falling from a second-storey window in his room, which was not restricted to the required 10cm opening gap.

The HSE said the man had undergone surgery which could cause confusion, delirium and anxiety, putting him into a category of increased risk.

It said he was in a room without suitably restricted windows.

The 79-year-old was in the care for at Western General Hospital’s medical assessment unit on in January 2021.

He was experiencing hallucinations, confusion, distress and delirium and had tried to escape the ward over the course of several days.

Hospital staff found him unconscious in the canteen preparation room, after falling from a first-floor window.

His condition declined until he died two weeks later.