Widespread media coverage for coroner's verdict on fatal fall at Maidstone Hospital

Posted: 17/04/2014

A Penningtons Manches clinical negligence case about Sheila Acott, a 67 year old woman who died following a fatal fall in Maidstone Hospital, received widespread media coverage following the coroner’s verdict that the fall could have been avoided if the nursing staff had known of Mrs Acott’s high risk of falls.

Lucie Prothero, associate in the clinical negligence team who handled the case, spent much of the day talking to the local TV, radio and newspaper media following her press release on the outcome of the inquest. BBC South East ran the story in both the evening news bulletins on Tuesday15 April including pre-recorded interviews with Lucie and Mrs Acott’s daughter. Lucie was also interviewed for BBC Radio Kent and briefed the Kent Messenger which ran the story both online (click here) and in the weekly paper.

Some good contacts were made with the BBC South East news team, one of whom has a particular interest in hospital falls and will be contacting Lucie to comment on other cases in the future.

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