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Sussex Police, grappling with an extensive investigation into alleged manslaughter at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton, are considering requesting special assistance from the Home Office to expedite their inquiries. The force is currently reviewing over 90 deaths and more than 100 cases of serious harm following claims of botched surgeries at the hospital, which is run by the University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, Daily Dazzling Dawn understand.
Concerns are mounting over the slow pace of the investigation, which began last October following whistleblower allegations regarding approximately 40 deaths between 2015 and 2021. Documents seen by sources reveal that investigators are progressing at a rate of just three cases per month. This sluggish pace has led to fears that the entire review of over 200 cases could take more than five years to complete, even if no new cases emerge and assuming the current rate is maintained.
In response to these delays, Sussex Police are reportedly exploring the possibility of applying for a Special Police Grant from the Home Office. This grant is available to forces facing exceptional circumstances that necessitate a significant reallocation of resources to a single investigation. While a formal request has not yet been submitted, it underscores the strain the complex and large-scale inquiry is placing on local police resources.
The investigation, dubbed Operation Bramber, has already seen the involvement of two independent medical experts – one specializing in neurosurgery and another in general surgery – who are assisting the police in assessing the medical aspects of each case. Earlier this year, the scope of the investigation more than doubled, with investigators informing families that they were considering charges of corporate and individual manslaughter by gross negligence, as well as medical negligence.
The revelations have sparked outrage and anguish among the families of the deceased. Dozens of relatives signed a letter earlier this year demanding the resignation of the hospital trust's executive team and questioning why staff allegedly involved in negligent care were still employed and treating patients.
One of the deeply concerning cases under scrutiny is that of 23-year-old Lewis Chilcott, who tragically died 39 days after a tracheostomy procedure allegedly involved errors by a surgeon. His father, Simon Chilcott, has stated that the hospital trust has consistently attributed his son's death to a rare complication, despite what he believes is clear evidence of negligence. He revealed that investigators have indicated the inquiry into his son's case alone could take at least two years before a decision on charges is made.
Another distressing case involves Jane, a mother-of-one from Brighton, who was allegedly not informed by hospital staff that she was being treated for a life-threatening blood clot following her initial surgery for an arachnoid cyst. She only became aware of this critical information six years later through a whistleblower at the trust who relayed her case to the police.
Sussex Police have acknowledged the complexity and potential longevity of the investigation. In a statement, the force said: "Sussex Police is committed to conducting a thorough and diligent investigation into the concerns raised at the Royal Sussex County Hospital. Due to the costs associated with this, the force will explore any potential funding streams that could help recuperate some of that cost. This is common practice for an investigation of this nature, which is complex and likely to take some time to complete. At the appropriate stage, a formal application for funding may be made to the Home Office."
The potential involvement of the Home Office highlights the significant scale and resource demands of this investigation, as families continue to seek answers and accountability for the alleged failings in patient care at the Brighton hospital.
