Royal Free nurse accused of failings after patient’s death
Charles Apuku-Badu worked at The Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead - Credit: PA Wire/Press Association Images
A nurse at the Royal Free Hospital is being investigated following the death of an 87-year-old patient who had not been given vital medication.
Charles Opuku-Badu has been accused of failing to administer the epilepsy drug levetiracetam for 72 hours, causing a patient to have an epileptic seizure and contributing to her death.
A Nursing and Midwifery Council tribunal today heard that the patient, who had been admitted to the hospital with an ulcer on her foot, had details of her epilepsy clearly stated in her medical records.
Opuku-Badu was responsible for administering the medication which was described as “crucial”.
An inquest into the patient’s death found that she had died from aspiration pneumonia from inhalation of stomach contents following seizure.
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Opuku-Badu denies charges of contributing to her death after failing to administer the prescribed drug over two night shifts and failing to inform other members of staff that it was not available.
He also denies lying about this in a subsequent interview.
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John Dowlman, for the NMC said: “He had responsibility of care for the patient. The administering of the drug twice a day was crucial and it was vital that the patient received these doses.”
The hearing is ongoing.
