Inquest hears how patient fell to his death from hospital window

An inquest has heard how a patient fell 30 feet from a window at Southend Hospital. Robin Blowes, 69, from Blackmore in south Essex was admitted in June 2010 to have a bladder operation.

After the operation his behaviour became increasingly agitated and confused before it's thought he climbed out of the window.

The inquest heard from health and safety experts. Edward Crick from the Health and Safety Executive said there was not an adequate restrictor on the window, just a single hook. He added the hospital had been trying to minimise the risk of patients falling from windows since 2007 when a patient broke a leg falling from a window in the Kitty Hubbard ward.

HSE specialist inspector David Rudland described the lock on the window as "not fit for purpose" and contravened the HSE's guidance on window restraints

The inquest into Mr Blowes' death is expected to last several days.