CQC prosecutes University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust after a young person dies in its care

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust pled guilty yesterday at Brighton Magistrates Court to failing to provide safe care and treatment to a young person, exposing them to a significant risk of avoidable harm in a prosecution brought by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

CQC brought a prosecution in relation to the care and treatment of Ellame Ford-Dunn (pronounced "El-a-mee"), who was being cared for on Bluefin Ward, an acute children's inpatient ward at Worthing Hospital.

On 20 March 2022, while under 1:1 supervision, Ellame absconded from the ward. She was later found within the hospital grounds having ligatured and died shortly afterwards.

The trust was aware of Ellame's previous history of absconding and failed to adequately manage this risk.

Sentencing will take place at Brighton Magistrates' Court on 26 November.

Helen Rawlings, CQC director of operations in the south, said:

"Ellame's death is a tragic case, and my thoughts are with her family and all those grieving her loss.

"Ellame should have been able to rely on University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust to take all the steps they could to keep her safe during a very vulnerable time in her life, but this didn't happen.

"The trust was aware of Ellame's history of absconding, yet failed to manage this known risk adequately, which might have avoided this tragic outcome.

"The prosecution should remind all health and social care organisations of their duty to provide care that meets people's needs and reduces the risks to their safety based on their individual circumstances."