Hospital trust admits failing in care after death of 16-year-old on Worthing Hospital grounds

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Trust has admitted failing to provide safe care and treatment to 16-year-old Ellame Ford-Dunn, who died on the grounds of Worthing Hospital on 20 March 2022.

The trust entered a guilty plea at Brighton Magistrates’ Court and will be sentenced on 26 November.

The court heard Ellame left a ward area and entered the hospital grounds but was not immediately followed due to “confusion” and the absence of a clear procedure. The Care Quality Commission told the court this reflected a failure to have a policy directing staff to follow such vulnerable patients immediately, a policy the trust has since amended. Ellame was found by police later that evening near the edge of the site and died despite CPR at the scene.

In a tribute, Ellame’s mother described her as funny, loving and creative, with a “wonderful mischievous laugh”. The trust’s chief nurse said staff were devastated by her death, apologised, and confirmed changes had been made to the “missing person” policy and training. The court was told the offence relates to those policy failures.

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