27 April 2023 , 17:03
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A health trust has been fined thousands for negligence after a hospital patient choked to death while eating his Christmas dinner.
Gerard McElhone, 50, choked on a Brussels sprout on Christmas Day 2014 at Mid Ulster Hospital in Magherafelt, Co Londonderry.
Mr McElhone was on a restricted diet at the time of his death which required his food to be mashed down, Coleraine Crown court heard.
The Northern Health and Social Care Trust pleaded guilty to a single health and safety offence after the prosecution was brought by the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) and Police Service for Northern Ireland.
Mr McElhone had been given the sprouts in error by a member of staff at his request on Christmas Day, the HSENI said, as the Executive said his dietary requirements had not been "effectively communicated".
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Speaking after the hearing, HSENI Inspector Linda Murphy said: “Choking can have serious consequences but is avoidable in cases where there is a known risk.
“In this tragic case there was a failure to effectively communicate and implement dietary restrictions for Mr McElhone.
“Effective communication of a patient’s dietary requirements is vital in all health care settings.”
The Trust was fined £10,000 after admitting the breach of Article 5 of the Health and Safety at Work (Northern Ireland) Order 1978.