A NURSE has admitted to not following hospital policy when carrying out an assessment of a patient who later died at Wexham Park Hospital.

The inquest into the death of Philmore Mills heard today that Jemma Sobejana, an intensive care unit (ICU) outreach nurse, rated Mr Mills as a four in a hospital rating scheme based on his condition.

Hospital policy says that a call should be made to the patient's doctor if they are rated as a three or above on that scale.

Ms Sobejana said: "I didn't call the doctor.

"I didn't follow [the policy], that's correct, but I had my reasons.

"I didn't call the doctor because he wasn't in distress. I felt it wasn't necessary.

Mr Mills died aged 57 while being treated for pneumonia on the respiratory ward at Wexham Park Hospital on 27, December 2011. He had previously been submitted to the Intensive Care Unit where a malignant tumour was found on his right lung along with the presence of blood clots.

Ms Sobejana assessed Mr Mills at around midnight on December 26 after receiving a handover from a colleague. The ICU outreach team are based in the unit but also assess patients who have moved to other wards after being treated in intensive care.

Leslie Thomas QC, who was representing Mr Mills' family said: "Your policy could not be clearer, if the patient scores three or more you call the doctor."

CLICK TO READ: Mr Mills' daughter is hopeful that the truth will come out in the inquest, which expected to last for a month.