Man was hospital patient when he died of cocaine overdose

Anthony Hammond, of Clayton Heights, Bradford, passed away from a cardiac arrest caused by cocaine toxicity in 2019.

At the time of his death, the 51-year-old was receiving treatment at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary (HRI), as he recovered from a spinal operation which took place at Leeds the previous month.

Assistant coroner Peter Merchant was "satisfied" lessons had been learned at HRI but had "concerns" about Leeds General Infirmary's clerking assessments.

When collecting his brother's possessions, Peter Hammond found a syringe, containing a white liquid, under the cushion of his wheelchair.

Huddersfield Royal Infirmary (Image: Google Street View)The inquest, conducted earlier this week, heard how Anthony had three doses of antibiotics on the day.

His last dose was administrated at 11.04pm and a crash call went in at 11.25pm.

Matron Farah, who provided evidence on behalf of HRI, said that general observations were conducted on the ward every four hours. The last of these took place at 9.37pm.

Assistant coroner Merchant accepted there were no concerns regarding drug use during these.

Matron Farah added that there was "nothing to prevent" patients from tampering with the antibiotics being administrated.

Anthony's death was sadly confirmed at 11.44pm on November 30.

Assistant coroner Merchant said it was "unclear whether he (Anthony) was successful or not when trying to buy drugs" following a police investigation.

He gave Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust a fortnight to send him their proposals of what could be changed.

After waiting almost four years for the inquest to conclude, Mr Hammond is "happy to get closure".

"I am relieved it is all over," he told the T&A.

"It was good to see recommendations were made towards Leeds in respect of them improving their admin areas and handing over of notes."

Anthony, who was born in Essex and married twice during his life, moved to the Bradford district in 2002.

"Things went downhill when he started experiencing with drugs", according to Peter's statement.

Anthony had a medical history of drug overdoses and suffered from depression and chronic back pain. 

Peter added: "Anthony was troubled. He always wanted to be the best person he could be but he just lost direction.

"I still loved him as my brother."

When discussing marks on his arms and shins at HRI A&E on October 27, Anthony first told doctors they were from cocaine injections, before correcting this to cigarette burns.

Ellie Jackson, staff nurse at LGI, told the court there were no indications, during the period he was on her ward (October 29-November 11), that Anthony was a current drug user.

Christopher Derham, Consultant Neurosurgeon and Spinal surgeon at LGI, also confirmed this was the case.

When Anthony arrived back at HRI, Consultant Timothy McWilliams told the court he had not expected to find him on the ward.

The hospital was unclear on what the plan was for Anthony's recovery, so made enquiries with Leeds.

Matron Farah also said Anthony did not inform anyone at the hospital about his substance misuse history.

Assistant coroner Merchant said there should have been a full nursing clerking admission - documenting Anthony's social history.

Matron Farah told the court the system has since changed and the 'substance misuse' box must now be completed on the new portal.

A new nurse consultant for mental health has also been employed and staff receive training on how to speak to patients.

Peter went through Anthony's mobile phone following his death and found a text from him asking someone "Can you do a run to Leeds please?".

An arrest was made on the matter but the suspect gave a no comment interview.

Detective Inspector, for Huddersfield at the time, Diane Johnson told the court police could not say Anthony tried to buy drugs as a "matter of fact".

DI Johnson also said she was only aware of the case on August 17. By that time, the CCTV at the hospital had elapsed.

"The only thing that disappointed me was the police investigation," Peter said.

"Investigation opportunities were missed due to the delay in starting the investigation."

Assistant coroner Merchant, who ruled a drugs-related conclusion, told Peter: "The answers (to your questions) may not be the black and white ones you were hoping for.

"In matters like this, there can be shades of grey."