• My Story
• Biography
• Timeline
• Published Article on Case
• The Evans Enquiry
• Newspaper Cuttings
• The Breakthrough Programme
• Petition
• Kelly's Poem
• Contact Me

In 2004-05, a survey of NHS acute, ambulance and mental health Trusts found 974,000 patient safety incidents (PSI's) were reported.
Hospital acquired infections were estimated to increase the PSI figures by around 300,000 incidents. It is estimated that about 50% of these incidents are preventable (National Audit Office 2005:1).

It is estimated from International studies that at least a quarter of these figures may relate to medically negligent PSI's, yet in 2005-06 there were only 5, 697 legal claims (NHSLA 2006) making about 2% of all possible claims.

Timeline

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• January 1979, Krista was born with a congenital heart condition (Fallots Tetralogy).

Care under Elliot Shinebourne at The Royal Brompton Hospital

• In 1981 Krista has an operation to successfully correct her heart condition.
• Krista goes on to lead a normal life with her identical twin sister.
• On 5 September 1995 Krista complains of chest pain to GP & is referred back to the Brompton and seen by Dr Shinebourne on 13 September.
• On 16 January 1996 Krista is admitted to the Brompton for an exploratory catheterisation.
• Krista is discharged and her mother told nothing was found and no need for concern.
• On 5 December 1996 Krista dies at home in bed.
• December 1996, Coroner denies Ms Ocloo's request for an Inquest.
• December 1996, The Royal Brompton do not respond to request by Ms Ocloo for someone to call her to speak to her about Krista's death.
• January 1997, Ms Ocloo makes a complaint via the NHS Complaints Procedure and dissatisfied with the response from the hospital asks for the complaint to be referred to an Independent Panel Review (IPR).
• The IPR issues its report on 22 June 1998, making no finding of negligence or recommending any referral to the GMC.
• Ms Ocloo campaigns for a wider Independent NHS Inquiry on behalf of some 50 families. This was set up in 1999, reported back in April 2001 and made no findings of negligence. The Inquiry cost close to a million pounds.
• In November 2001 a civil action is brought against The Brompton by Ms Ocloo for damages for bereavement and personal injury.
• In December 2001, a legal ruling of negligence is made against the hospital, but the case fails on causation. Costs are awarded against Ms Ocloo of £120'000. These are reduced by the NHSLA to £10'000 after publicity on the case.
• In June 2004 Mr Lissack QC advises the case has good grounds for appeal directly related to causation.
• On 25 June a detailed application for funding is made to the Legal Service Commission (LSC).
• On 23 December 2004, the LSC makes its final decision to deny funding for an appeal.
• On 21 March 2005 an application is made to the European Courts for violation of the right to public funding to bring an appeal.
• On 10 November the application was refused without an explanation.
• November 2005 the Parliamentary Ombudsman is approached about the denial of legal aid by the LSC
• December 2005, the Ombudsman's Office say they are unable to look at the LSC's decision because of the legal action to Europe.
• No avenue exists to correct the miscarriage of justice that continues to deny Ms Ocloo a proper and independent investigation into her daughter's death.