Gosport War Memorial Hospital Deaths: 101 families devastated as police say 'no further action will be taken' into death of loved ones
After decades of fighting for answers, the families of 101 patients who died at the Gosport War Memorial Hospital have been informed there will be no charges.
Branded one of the ‘biggest’ and ‘most complex’ NHS scandals of all time, the deaths of hundreds of patients at the hospital have been under investigation for years.
This comes after patients died from ‘inappropriately high doses’ of opioids were administered between 1987 and 2001.
But, Kent Police, which is responsible for Operation Magenta, has now confirmed 101 families have been informed no further action will be taken.
A spokesperson for Kent Police said: “A total of 101 families have been notified that investigations into the deaths of their loved ones have not met the evidential test for criminal prosecution and that no further action will be taken unless further information comes to light.
“Each of the families concerned have been contacted and provided with a detailed timeline of their loved one’s medical journey and how the outcome of each assessment has been reached.”
The force originally said 29 suspects were being interviewed including 24 people who had been interviewed regarding alleged gross negligence manslaughter and five for alleged offences under the Health and Safety at Work Act.
In April of this year, Deputy Chief Constable Neil Jerome of Operation Magenta said: “The independent investigation into deaths at Gosport War Memorial Hospital, Hampshire, between 1987 and 2001 is one of the largest and most complex of its nature in the history of UK policing.
“Our team consists of serving and retired detectives who have so far assessed more than three million pages of documents including the medical records of over 750 patients, and taken around 1,200 witness statements from affected family members.”
The death of Gladys Richard sparked the initial investigation as she was the first patient believed to have died in the unfolding scandal. The 91-year-old was admitted to the hospital following a hip operation - but five days later she died amid the administration of diamorphine.
An initial investigation was launched in 1998 following the death of Gladys but no one was found at fault - The families of patients have been searching for answers ever since.
Emma Jones, of Leigh Day Solicitors, who represents some of the families but none of those who have been informed their case has been closed, said: “For those families the news will be devastating, after so long to be told ‘that’s it’. They are left without answers.
“However, there is still the inquest process which can be a full and thorough investigation which, I would hope, would provide answers for the families.
“Op Magenta have said they will refer all deaths to the coroner at the end but those families can take steps now to ask the coroner to open an inquest.
“I am happy to discuss this with anyone who receives an NFA (no further action) letter to assure them it does not have to be the end of a decades-long search for answers and justice.”