AN NHS facility where an Oxford teenager died will not reopen under plans from health managers.

Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust plans to close two units that make up Slade House, Horspath Driftway, Headington.

Headington teenager Connor Sparrowhawk, 18, is believed to have died following an epileptic fit while taking a bath on July 4 last year.

An independent report said 15-minute checks on the teenager - who had autism and epilepsy – were too infrequent.

It said his overall assessments when he arrived at the unit were poor and his death could have been prevented.

Admissions closed in September following concerns from Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspectors.

A November CQC report raised concerns about nurses not interacting with patients, faulty equipment and unsafe dispensing of medicines.

Slade House comprises the Short Term Assessment and Treatment Team unit (STATT), where Connor was a resident, and John Sharich House (JSH).

Trust spokesman Nicola Bliss said: "It is our intention not to reopen JSH and STATT to admissions in the future, however before any final decision is made we will be talking to patients, families and carers, staff, and stakeholders to ask for their views.”

She said it had been working with Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group and Oxfordshire County Council, which pay for the service, about the service.

She said: “This includes looking at people’s needs to ensure that the care provided is appropriate and delivered in a way that best meets their individual needs and circumstances.” 


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