News Release - Gosport War Memorial Hospital
04/11/2002
We just wanted to say thank you. We will never be able to repay you or express how grateful we are to you for all the support and help. There would have been no one in the world that we would have had in preference to you to act for us.
John, Newcastle Upon Tyne
Following the announcement of investigations into a number of deaths at Gosport War Memorial Hospital, Alexander Harris Solicitors have been instructed by a number of families to look into the circumstances surrounding their relatives' deaths. The families, now known as the Gosport War Memorial Hospital Action Group, have all raised serious concerns regarding the care and treatment that was afforded to thirteen relatives at the Gosport War Memorial Hospital, Hampshire between 1997 and 2001.
Following a meeting with the families, a spokesperson for Alexander Harris, the solicitors representing over 300 relatives in the Shipman Inquiry and the solicitors now instructed to represent the interests of the Gosport War Memorial Hospital Action Group said: "As a result of the information I have received from these families during the past few days, I believe the events which have occurred at the Gosport War Memorial Hospital give rise to serious cause for concern. Following Shipman's conviction Alan Milburn the Secretary of State for Health said that he would do everything in his power to bring about change swiftly in order to prevent anything like this from happening again. Here we have another situation where suspicions were raised and complaints made a considerable time ago yet it would appear that little effective action has taken place."
"It is of particular concern to learn that yet again serious questions must be raised about the conduct of health care professionals, the failure of the General Medical Council to act and the failure of the police to carry out a sufficiently thorough investigation. These are families who have also raised their concerns with several administrative bodies including the Trust, the Health Authority, and Government Ministers over the last 5 years and yet it is only now that the authorities seem to be taking note."
"I am not at all surprised that these families are extremely frustrated by the apparent lack of action in this appalling situation. We have seen in the case of Harold Shipman how delays resulted in the worst possible circumstances. Urgent change is required to prevent similar situations happening again and to restore and maintain confidence in the National Health Service."
NOTES: The families have asked that all requests for further information should be made through Alexander Harris. For further information please contact Emma Smith at Alexander Harris Solicitors, Ashley House, Ashley Road, Altrincham, Cheshire WA14 2DW. 0161 925 5555. 'A highly respected niche practice' Alexander Harris is ranked as one of the leading specialist clinical negligence firms and amongst the leading firms specialising in personal injury (Chambers / Legal 500 2002). Alexander Harris also specialise in dental negligence, pharmaceutical product liability, group litigation, injury overseas, education, mental health and community care. With offices in the North West, London and the West Midlands and over 150 staff, Alexander Harris' latest news can be found on the internet at www.alexanderharris.co.uk
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