Story perspectives

Hospital Deaths Highlight Staffing Crisis and Care Failures

1/12/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Two men, David Ward, 76, and Dr. Debapriya Ghosh, 83, died at St George's Hospital after falls linked to inadequate supervision.
Inquests found both men were not properly risk assessed or cared for overnight.
The coroner cited hospital high demand and said staff faced "impossible situations."
The hospital implemented changes, including more staff and enhanced patient assessments.
The coroner warned risks remain, and the Department of Health has been contacted.

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Story summary

Two men, David Ward, 76, and Dr. Debapriya Ghosh, 83, died at St George's Hospital after falls linked to inadequate supervision.
Inquests found both men were not properly risk assessed or cared for overnight.
The coroner cited hospital high demand and said staff faced "impossible situations."
The hospital implemented changes, including more staff and enhanced patient assessments.
The coroner warned risks remain, and the Department of Health has been contacted.