Agenda item

Miles Scott, CEO Maidstone & Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust and Rachel Jones, Executive Director Strategy, Planning & Partnerships, Maidstone & Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust were in attendance for this item. 

1. Mr Scott reiterated his apologies to the families affected by David Fuller’s crimes and reassured the committee that support had been put in place for those families, and that the Trust's commitment to them was ongoing and open-ended. He provided an overview of the situation which lead to an independent inquiry chaired by Sir Jonathan Michael. The inquiry published its first report on 5 December 2023, looking at what happened in the mortuary at Tunbridge Wells Hospital. The second report would consider the wider implications for the NHS, public bodies and society. It was noted that the report had 17 recommendations, 16 for the Trust and 1 for Kent County Council and East Sussex County Council. Mr Scott confirmed that the Maidstone & Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust had accepted all the recommendations and that 11 had already been fully implemented, with the remaining 5 currently being worked on. All recommendations were expected to be implemented by March 2024 at which time they would return to the committee.  

2. A Member asked how the Trust could foster greater professional curiosity. Mr Scott said that professional curiosity had to be part of the organisation’s culture, as policies and procedures were not, in themselves, enough. Staff and managers had to be prepared to think the unthinkable.   

3. A Member said there needed to be a culture where staff were encouraged to raise concerns and that the organisation would listen and investigate the concerns. Mr Scott agreed with the statement and noted that in this case no suspicions were ever raised despite numerous organisational changes and staff turnover.  
4. It was asked if there could ever be adequate oversight considering the size and complexity of the Trust. Mr Scott acknowledged the concern and responded that policies and culture both needed to be right, with the leadership leading by example and engaging with staff throughout the Trust. 

5. The Committee considered what could have prevented these crimes from taking place. CCTV had not originally been installed in the post mortem room so that distressing images could not be leaked. That had now been addressed, though the cameras were only pointed at fridge doors so bodies could not be removed and replaced without notice. Mr Scott did not think that Mr Fuller’s contractual position with the Trust had significance because he had also committed offences whilst under the direct employment of the Trust. It was also the case that Mr Fuller had lied about having a criminal record and once it was picked up on, no one questioned him about that. There was no evidence that any staff had raised suspicions about Mr Fuller. Mr Scott was not sure anything could have prevented Mr Fuller’s crimes, and noted that such opportunistic crimes were not limited to hospital mortuaries (such points would be picked up in the second phase of the inquiry).

6. The Chair thanked Mr Scott and his team for their attendance and work on remedying the situation. The Chair said that the thoughts of the committee were with the families affected by the crimes committed at the Maidstone & Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust. The Chair invited Mr Scott to come back to the committee after the publication of the report from the second phase of the inquiry. 

7. RESOLVED that the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee note the response of the Trust to the interim inquiry report.