AN NHS trust made ‘systemic’ failings which led to the deaths of two of its patients, a court heard.

Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust has already admitted breaching health and safety regulations following the deaths of Connor Sparrowhawk and Teresa Colvin.

Connor, 18, was found dead on July 4, 2013 after drowning in a bathtub at Slade House, Oxford.

He had suffered an epileptic fit and an earlier inquest ruled that ‘neglect’ had played a part in his death.

Teresa Colvin, 45, was found unconscious at Woodhaven Clinic, Hampshire, in April 2012 and later died.

At the start of the trust’s sentencing hearing at Oxford Crown Court today, prosecutor Bernard Thorogood said that there had been ‘systemic’ and ‘long standing’ failings by the trust on each occasions leading up to the deaths.

Talking about Connor's case, he said: “From the outset of his arrival [to Slade House] he should not have been left to bathe himself without supervision.

“And the control measures were very simple, somebody could be sitting outside. At all times he should not have been left alone to bathe himself.”

He added that of the 17 members of staff at the clinic, just three had relevant epileptic patient training.

After the original guilty plea at Banbury Magistrates’ Court in September. Julie Dawes, Interim Chief Executive of Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, said the trust was ‘truly sorry’ for what had happened to Connor.

The sentencing hearing, expected to last between two and three days, continues.