The family of a "happy-go-lucky" dad-of-three who died after sustaining a fatal head injury have paid tribute to him. Lee Robson had been taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary's emergency department in the early hours of September 3, 2024 by police. But after over six hours in A&E without observation, the 48-year-old, who had sustained a head injury, was escorted out of the hospital by security after asking a number of times to go to sleep. He was later found on the ground of Leazes Park by a passer-by, who called an ambulance. By the time he was re-admitted to hospital, he had deteriorated and his head injury was spotted. His care was then escalated before being referred to the hospital's neurosurgery team following a CT scan. His condition did not improve and he sadly died on September 4.
Fatal injuries and 'talk and die syndrome'
Mr Robson had a skull fracture 10cm long, as well as a range of severe brain injuries and a fractured spine. A consultant neurosurgeon later involved in attempts to save his life explained he had been "extremely unlucky" and was a "striking" example of a condition called "talk and die syndrome".
On Tuesday, the inquest at Newcastle Coroner's Court was shown additional body-worn footage from security who escorted Mr Robson out of the hospital. When Mr Robson asked if he could sleep for an hour, one guard replied: "No, there's no hours sleep, you have to go now, that's what the doctor's have requested. Put your socks on and shoes."
When Mr Robson again asked to sleep, the guard said: "It's not going to happen. It's not a hostel. Go home and have an hours kip. Put your socks on. We've given you all the opportunities in the world here."
Police involvement and investigation
Security also told Mr Robson - who was visibly unsteady on his feet - he could be arrested if he didn't leave, before being escorted outside. Once outside, Mr Robson could be heard saying: "See you later". A security guard then replied: "Hopefully I won't. Hopefully you get yourself home and get some sleep."
The inquest had previously been shown footage of security personnel escorting Mr Robson - who was barefoot at the time - from the premises and towards the exit of the hospital site on Richardson Road, opposite Leazes Park.
Detective Sergeant Joanne Glendenning of Northumbria Police also gave evidence at the hearing and outlined the force's involvement. She said police initially became involved after receiving a call that Mr Robson was trying to gain access to properties in Slatyford in the early hours of the morning. When officers turned up, he told them he "just wanted to go home".
Det Sgt Glendenning said as Mr Robson was arrested, his hood was taken off and an abrasion to his head was spotted. He was then taken to hospital and de-arrested. The inquest heard that Mr Robson initially told police he had sustained the injury after being "glassed" in Newcastle. Police trawled CCTV and tracked his movements before concluding he was not assaulted. Det Sgt Glendenning said: "We have [Mr Robson] on CCTV returning to his home without the injury."
How the injury occurred
Asked by Senior Coroner Georgina Nolan how Mr Robson may have sustained his head injury, Det Sgt Glendenning said the moment was not captured, but added a neighbour's doorbell camera captured a "loud clatter", which suggests Mr Robson may have fallen at home at some point. He was also known to have previously climbed onto a bin to enter his property through a window, the inquest heard. Police also investigated the care that Mr Robson had received at hospital and considered gross negligence manslaughter. However, "no causational link" was ultimately found and the charge was not proceeded with.
The inquest was told that some time after he was escorted out of hospital, a member of the public went on to find Mr Robson in an intoxicated state on the ground at Leazes Park. Before ringing an ambulance, a fisherman in the park told the witness Mr Robson had "been there a while" and believed he had taken Spice. Mr Robson was then re-admitted to hospital.
Hospital changes and inquest conclusion
RVI consultant, Dr Jess Ross also gave evidence at the hearing and said that Mr Robson - who had a history of alcohol and drug misuse - should have been seen within 15 minutes. He had remained at the hospital for over six hours without observation on his initial visit. The inquest heard there are a "significant lack of treatment rooms" at the RVI emergency department. However, a number of changes have since been implemented, including additional nurses for assessment areas. An improved electronic patient record system has also been put in place.
Senior Coroner Georgina Nolan asked the doctor: "If that situation arose again, where somebody was appearing intoxicated and wanting to sleep, what would you do?" Dr Ross replied: "We would make sure we have seen [the patient] mobilising and would be observing them. We would provide head injury advice if they wanted to leave."
The inquest heard that there was previously a "you and us" mentality between security staff and clinical staff at the hospital. Dr Ross said that security staff have since underwent additional training and there has been "relationship building".
Mr Robson's formal cause of death, following his post-mortem, was "blunt head injury". In a narrative conclusion, Senior Coroner Georgina Nolan said that Mr Robson was discharged from the RVI "without full assessment" but that the head injury he sustained was "un-survivable" in any event. The inquest heard that even if he did undergo a CT scan on his first appearance at hospital, his injury would still have been "not amenable to treatment". The coroner added: "Lee died from the effects of a recent fall."
Family tribute and trust response
Following the conclusion, Mr Robson's mother, Leslie, paid tribute to him. She said: "He was a happy-go-lucky person who loved his three kids. The last memory I have of him is when he was painting my fence. He would help anybody, he didn't even have to know them, he would just help. He was a great dad, just a lovely person, but unfortunately, the drink got the better of him. The outcome is what we expected. [Hospital staff] didn't even give him a drink of water, he wasn't being a nuisance, he was trying to get comfortable, he'd broken his spine, he was in pain."
A spokesperson for Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: "We are very sorry there were some missed opportunities and offer our heartfelt condolences to Mr Robson's family. We aim to provide the highest possible standard of individualised care to all our patients and in this instance, we accept there are things that could have been done differently. We have undertaken a comprehensive investigation to identify learning from this tragic death and will also take into account the coroner’s findings from today."
