Police action in Watford General Hospital death investigated (From Watford Observer)

Police action in Watford General Hospital death investigated

6:12pm Monday 11th May 2009 in

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An investigation has been launched to discover whether police could have done more to prevent the death of a man whose body was found inside a toilet at Watford General Hospital.

Jason Hearn, 22, was found in a cubicle on the third floor of the new acute admissions unit (AAU) on Wednesday morning, four days after he had discharged himself from doctor's care.

An inquest was opened and adjourned today, after a post mortem revealed he died of asphyxiation.

A complaint has now been made against Hertfordshire Constabulary, who were informed Mr Hearn had left the hospital last Saturday without receiving any treatment and against the advice of doctors.

Mark Pearson, an Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) representative, which investigates all deaths of people who have recently been in contact with the police, said: “The commission is to independently investigate Hertfordshire Police's response to calls about a man reported missing and subsequently found dead at Watford General Hospital.

“The man was taken into Watford General Hospital after collapsing at home on Saturday, May 29.

“He left the hospital at lunchtime, prior to full medical assessment, and Hertfordshire Police were notified.

“Shortly after he was detained and returned to the hospital where he remained voluntarily.

“He reportedly left the hospital again later that evening and Hertfordshire Police were informed.

“On Wednesday, May 6 his body was discovered at the hospital. An initial police investigation concluded there were no suspicious circumstances.

“IPCC investigators have since attended the scene and carried out an initial assessment and it has been decided that an independent investigation will be conducted.

“The investigation will consider the police response over the several days following the missing persons report. Investigators will be interviewing witnesses and reviewing CCTV footage from the hospital.”

IPCC commissioner Len Jackson offered his sympathies to Mr Hearn's family.

He said: “There will be obvious concern about the circumstances leading up to the discovery of the man's body at Watford General Hospital, and we will want to examine thoroughly the police response to the man being reported missing.

“We will need to consider what actions were taken by the police to trace him. We will carry out an independent investigation and report our findings as soon as we are able."

The death certificate gives Mr Hearn's address as Branch Road, Park Street, although the it is understood he also lived recently in Abbots Langley.

The IPCC investigates all deaths of people who have recently been in contact with the police.

Hertfordshire Constabulary has not yet commented on the investigation.