§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the circumstances of the death of David Falconer on 6 July 1994 in the Edith' Mortan psychiatric centre in Torbay.
§ Mr. BowisDavid Falconer died of asphyxiation on 6 July 1994 while being controlled and restrained by nurses following the administration of medication which was given because of his extremely disturbed behaviour. Mr. Falconer suffered from neuroleptic malignancy syndrome which can result in adverse reaction to some medication. The doctor who gave the medication was aware of his condition.
Following an inquest into the circumstances surrounding his death, a jury returned a verdict of misadventure.
The South Devon healthcare trust commissioned Sir Louis Blom-Cooper to carry out a wide-ranging review of mental health services which was published in April 1994, the recommendations of which are a matter for the trust.