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Neglect a contributing factor in prisoner's death

Neglect was a contributing factor in the death of a Jurby prisoner an inquest heard today (WED).

After two and half days of deliberation, the jury returned their verdict into the death of Michael Davidson who died on March 13, 2012.

The jury of five women and two men found the cause of death to be accidental, contributed to by neglect.

The medical cause of death was drug toxicity due to the combination of methadone, dihydrocodeine and diazepam.

The jury were in complete agreement as to the cause of death.

Aided by questionnaires, they set out the narrative verdict of how Mr Davidson came to his death over two years ago.

He was arrested just after midnight on March 11th, and, after a trip to A&E, was taken into police custody.

Between his arrest and his death, Mr Davidson was prescribed a large amount of medication in both police and prison custody.

The jury said there was a gross failure by the state that medical notes weren’t passed on to future healthcare staff, and that this contributed to the prisoner’s death.

After hearing the jury’s verdict, the coroner of inquests set out 15 recommendations that he will be sending to the prison governor, healthcare professionals, Chief Constable, the Department of Health and Department of Home affairs.

 

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