Confusing NHS Rules Blamed for U.K. Patient's Hospital Death

Staff weren't clear on who was supposed to care for him

A pensioner died in hospital because NHS targets meant nobody knew who was supposed to be caring for him, a consultant told an inquest.

David Pattrick, 69, was found dead, face down in vomit and faeces, in a toilet cubicle in Colchester General Hospital two days after an elective gall bladder operation.

Professor Roger Motson, then head of the clinical team treating him, blamed NHS targets for the confusion over who was accountable for the patient.

Giving evidence at the inquest into Mr Pattrick's death in Chelmsford, Essex, he said: "A pool list was introduced to try and treat patients more quickly. It breeds uncertainty as to who is looking after a patient.