Belfast's Royal Victoria Hospital to be sued for negligence

A senior doctor and a patient are suing the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast for negligence.

Solicitors Madden and Finucane have said that they have been asked to begin legal proceedings against the hospital.

They are acting on behalf of a senior medical consultant and a patient at the accident and emergency department.

Lawyers said evidence of "appalling standards of care and neglect of patients" had been disclosed to them.

Patrick Madden, solicitor, said: "This action relates to negligence at the hospital and a systemic failure which has led to patients suffering avoidable harm and deprivation of their basic human rights."

Mr Madden said they had evidence that would show that the environment in the Royal Victoria Hospital was "toxic for staff and patients".

"The hospital has failed in its basic duty of care," he said.

"Given the extent of the failures within this department, we consider that a full public inquiry is of urgent public importance."

In a statement the Belfast Trust said: "We await correspondence from Madden and Finucane and will deal with any legal proceedings appropriately. At this time we are not in a position to comment further.

"The Trust is currently participating in an RQAI review of emergency and unscheduled care."