A West London prison has been criticised for serious failings in clinical care after an inmate died from pneumonia, having contracted Covid-19 while on remand.
Systemic Failures in Prisoner Healthcare
A damning investigation by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO) has concluded that Mehrban Hussain, 49, did not receive care equivalent to that available in the community. Mr Hussain, who was remanded to HMP Wormwood Scrubs in July 2021, died in hospital on 1 April 2022.
The report by PPO Adrian Usher details how Mr Hussain battled persistent respiratory issues for over eight months before his death. The coroner ruled he died from pneumonia arising from interstitial lung disease, with a pulmonary embolism and a Covid-19 infection listed as contributing factors.
Chronology of Missed Opportunities
Upon arrival, Mr Hussain's known conditions were asthma and an enlarged thyroid. His breathing difficulties continued, leading to a chest infection diagnosis in September 2021. A care plan created in November noted he struggled to climb stairs to the treatment room, but a scheduled GP review for 2 December never took place.
The situation escalated on 30 December when his cellmate tested positive for Covid-19. Mr Hussain was not tested until a mass exercise the following day, when he was also found to be positive. In the subsequent months, he was hospitalised multiple times and diagnosed with interstitial lung disease.
His health declined until 30 March 2022. After a court hearing, he had severe breathing difficulties. A prison GP called an ambulance, but Mr Hussain initially refused to go because he did not want to wear double handcuffs. He later changed his mind, but his condition was critical. He died the next day.
Critical Findings and Recommendations
The Ombudsman's clinical reviewer identified multiple critical weaknesses:
- No individualised care plan for his complex medical condition.
- No recorded assessment of his risk from Covid-19 complications.
- Insufficient documentation of his refusals of medical attention.
- Paper-based, not face-to-face, assessments of his fitness for court.
- A missed hospital appointment due to an administrative error.
The report also raised major concerns about the lack of a risk assessment regarding the decision to handcuff him during hospital transfers. It stated the prison's practice on emergency escorts was "flawed."
Mr Hussain was the 11th prisoner to die at Wormwood Scrubs since April 2019. Five more have died since his passing.
Prison and Healthcare Provider Response
The report made five recommendations. Three were directed at Practice Plus Group, the private provider contracted by the NHS to deliver healthcare at the prison.
A spokesperson for Practice Plus Group said they were "saddened" by the death and had actioned the learnings identified, remaining committed to high-quality prison healthcare.
A Prison Service spokesperson stated: "Our thoughts remain with Mehrban Hussain's friends and family. HMP Wormwood Scrubs has accepted all the Ombudsman's recommendations and is ensuring better collaboration between healthcare and prison staff so all patients with complex health needs have care plans."
