Hay v Grampian Health Board

(1995) 6 Med LR 128

COURT OF SESSION

and Lord JOHNSTON

Nurse — Negligence — Duty of care — Patient suffering from depressive illness — Previously attempted suicide in same hospital — Patient proceeding from ward to toilet area — Patient found hanging by scarf from shower tap — Patient resuscitated but suffered irreversible brain damage — Whether res ipsa loquitur applicable — Whether management and handling of patient by hospital staff was negligent where patient was under regime of close observation