Hospital cleared over patient death

Kevin Knowles was 29-years-old when he died

A Sunderland psychiatric hospital did not neglect a patient who died there, a coroner has ruled.

Kevin Knowles, 29, died in Cherry Knowles Hospital, near Ryhope, in October 2000.

Coroner Martin Shaw recorded a verdict of accidental death after hearing how Mr Knowles was found on the floor of his room where he had suffocated.

Mr Knowles' death helped lead to an independent inquiry into the running of Cherry Knowles Hospital, which ended in March this year.

There are still many questions which need answering about the lead up to his death

Karen Tate, sister

The inquiry, which investigated the deaths of ten other patients, made many recommendations, including increased staffing ratios.

The family of Mr Knowles told BBC Newcastle they were pleased to finally have a cause of death.

His sister, Karen Tate, said relatives were now considering their next move.

She said: "We do have a cause of death for Kevin, which has taken two years to find, but there are still many questions which need answering about the lead up to his death.

"He had numerous injuries, unexplained bruises, black eyes, burst lips... the worst was the burns, which were totally horrific.

"Hopefully we will find the answers...at least we do now have a cause of death and we will be able to have a death certificate."

An inquiry was held into deaths at Cherry Knowle

Hospital staff told the family Mr Knowles received the burns after falling asleep in front of a radiator.

Staff told the inquest at Sunderland Magistrates Court on Tuesday they regretted the other injuries he suffered, but admitted there was little they could do the stop accidents because of his illness.

The coroner concluded he could find "no evidence" of neglect.

Ms Tate added: "Kevin went into hospital five years ago for help and they carried him out in a box with all of them injuries.

"You can't explain it. I can't explain how I feel about it."

The independent inquiry was initially prompted by the deaths of Mr Knowles and patient Paul Spence, 36, who fell to his death hours after walking out of a ward at the hospital.

Inquests into the deaths of two other Cherry Knowle patients are due to open next week.