Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells Trust has become the first NHS trust to be charged with corporate manslaughter after the death of a 30-year-old patient.
Two doctors involved in the case have also been charged with gross negligence manslaughter.
The Crown Prosecution Service has confirmed to HSJ this is the first example of an NHS trust being charged under the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act.
Primary school teacher Frances Cappuccini died after giving birth by emergency caesarean section in October 2012 at the trust’s Pembury Hospital.
Dr Nadeem Azeez and Dr Errol Cornish have both been charged with gross negligence manslaughter.
Kent Police said in a statement today that an international warrant has been issued for the arrest of Dr Azeez, who is believed to have left the country and returned to Pakistan.
The first hearing in the case is due to take place at Sevenoaks Magistrates’ Court, at 10am on 1 May.
Source
Police statement
Source date
April 2015
