Leigh Day is representing families whose loved ones died at Gosport War Memorial Hospital (GWMH) and whose deaths are now being reconsidered through the coronial process.

During the 1980s and 1990s, large numbers of elderly patients admitted to Gosport War Memorial Hospital for respite or rehabilitation care died unexpectedly. For many families, concerns about treatment were raised repeatedly but went unresolved for decades.

In 2018, an independent panel published its report into deaths at the hospital. The report concluded that the lives of over 450 patients were shortened and identified “a disregard for human life and a culture of shortening lives” at Gosport War Memorial Hospital.

Following the report, Kent Police launched Operation Magenta, an investigation examining around 700 deaths. In many cases, the police have decided not to pursue criminal charges. These decisions do not prevent deaths being independently investigated by the coroner.

Our expertise

Emma Jones partner and specialist in inquests and public inquiries, currently represents 11 individuals whose deaths are to be investigated through the coronial process. Emma has been working with families since 2018, and has been instrumental in persuading the coroner and the High Court that these deaths deserved to be investigated through the inquest process. 

Emma Jones said:

"My clients believe that the only way to achieve a thorough investigation of what happened is to conduct a judge-led Article 2 inquest which gives much greater powers to look at the individuals and institutions involved. They hope that by encouraging more families to come forward it will strengthen their arguments for this type of inquest to take place."