NHS trust fined over worker's death

The first case brought by the Health and Safety Executive against an NHS trust for the death of a worker has ended with a fine.

South West London Primary and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust pleaded guilty to serious breaches of health and safety regulations following the murder of care worker Mamade Chattun by a schizophrenic patient at Springfield Hospital in 2003. The trust was fined £28,000 and £14,000 costs.

Chattun, a junior member of staff, had been working alone without clear procedures or measures in place to check on his safety. City of London magistrates deemed the case to be so serious that they referred it to the Crown Court.

Karen Jennings, UNISON public services union's head of health, said it was vital to "learn the lessons of this tragedy ... Mental health trusts need more resources to enable them to implement safer working practices."