Connor Sparrowhawk death: MP calls for new NHS unit inquiry

Connor Sparrowhawk drowned in a bath at Slade House, a learning disability unit in Oxford

A former care minister said he was "horrified" the death of Connor Sparrowhawk was not fully probed by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Lib Dem MP Norman Lamb said he wrote to the government body prompting them to consider re-opening the inquiry into the death of Connor, 18.

An inquest concluded on Friday that neglect contributed towards Connor's death at Slade House in Oxford.

Mr Lamb said that may affect an inquiry by the HSE, which has not commented.

Connor, who had autism and learning difficulties, drowned in July 2013 after an epileptic seizure in a bath at the unit in Headington.

The learning disability unit, run by Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, has since been closed.

The jury concluded there were "serious failings" by the trust, including those concerning his bathing arrangements.

'Perfunctory' investigation

Mr Lamb said: "I was horrified as minister when I discovered that the health and safety executive had decided not to issue an investigation.

"I wrote to them to ask them to reopen that, to reconsider their decision, and they have done that.

"Obviously, this verdict will have some impact on that investigation.

"I was horrified that they had dismissed this in a rather perfunctory way."

Katrina Percy, the trust's chief executive, said: "It is absolutely clear that Connor should not have been in a bath without observation."

She described it as "an absolutely tragic failure".

The trust said it had co-operated fully with any requests from the HSE for additional information.