Priory Healthcare Fined £650,000 for Safety Failings After Patient's Death
The mental health services provider admitted to breaches of the Health and Social Care Act, leading to a patient's fatal escape.
- Priory Healthcare was fined £650,000 for failing to provide safe care and treatment, resulting in the death of 23-year-old Matthew Caseby, who was hit by a train after escaping from Priory Hospital Woodbourne.
- The Care Quality Commission prosecuted Priory Healthcare following the incident, which occurred in September 2020, highlighting a significant risk of avoidable harm to patients.
- Matthew Caseby, who had been diagnosed with a psychotic episode, managed to escape by climbing over a courtyard fence, a risk previously known to the hospital.
- The court heard emotional victim statements from Caseby's family, criticizing Priory Healthcare's response and lack of accountability for their son's death.
- Following the incident, Priory Healthcare implemented safety improvements, including raising the height of the courtyard fence and installing anti-climb roller-bars, across its facilities.
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