NHS patient death ruled an unlawful killing

The death of a 31-year-old man, who suffered a fatal infection after routine surgery, has been ruled an unlawful killing by an inquest jury.

Sean Phillips was submitted to Southampton General Hospital in June 2000 for surgery to repair a torn knee ligament. He should have been released the next day but Sean developed toxic shock syndrome and died just two days later.

In 2003 two doctors treating him – senior house officers Amit Misra and Rajeev Srivastava – were convicted of manslaughter for not spotting his infection. The doctors were sentenced to 18 months in prison, suspended for two years and suspended by the General Medical Council (GMC).

For Sean’s partner Annabel Grant, the inquest result brings an end to her fight for justice. She said:

“I feel justice has been done for Sean. We have done everything that we can for him. It is closure and time to lay him to rest. It is time for myself, my family and our son Mitchell to try to find some happiness in our life and move on.”