Settlement Approved In Leeds Colin Norris Case

The family of Doris Ludlam, who was killed by an insulin and diamorphine overdose by nurse, Colin Norris, has been granted a five-figure settlement to help support her widower.

Doris Ludlam, was 80 when she was killed with an insulin and diamorphine overdose by Norris in June 2002. Mrs Ludlam was at Leeds General Infirmary for treatment for a heart condition and a broken hip following a fall while in hospital.

The family of Mrs Ludlam mounted a claim against the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and instructed Linda Smith, Associate Solicitor and clinical negligence specialist at the Leeds office of leading law firm Irwin Mitchell, to represent them.

The hearing took place at Leeds County Court on 30 December where Irwin Mitchell represented the family and secured a five-figure sum for bereavement, damages, loss of pension, and support for the widower.

Linda Smith is critical of the flaws in Leeds General Infirmary’s processes that enabled Norris to get hold of the insulin he used to kill his victims and said the civil claim was based around these issues, which are also the subject of a major inquiry by Yorkshire and Humber Strategic Health Authority.

She said: “Patient safety should be the number one concern of the NHS and we hope that Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust learns lessons from the four deaths of elderly ladies whose families feel very let down by the doctors and nurses who failed to protect and look after their loved ones.

“The hospital’s system for drug control failed and allowed a rogue nurse to commit a terrible crime.

“Norris should not have been able to get hold of the insulin that he used to commit his crimes in the first place. There were clearly shortcomings in the hospital’s checks and systems – yet it took four murders and an attempted murder for these flaws to be revealed.”

Elizabeth Hodgson, one of Doris Ludlam’s daughters said: “We trusted the hospital to look after and care for our mum, knowing she was frail. It is shocking to think we are not safe in hospital – you trust doctors and nurses and it is terrifying think about what happened to our mum in our local hospital.

“We were robbed of our mother and no amount of money can replace her. We are relieved that the case is now settled so we can continue to try and rebuild our lives and move on from this horrific chapter.”

Colin Norris is serving a minimum of 30 years in prison for his crimes. An appeal on his convictions failed on Monday 21st December.