A 27-year-old inmate tragically died at Parc prison in Bridgend due to failings in receiving proper dental and diabetic care, a report has revealed. Aaron Nunes’ death could have been prevented if he had received timely medical attention, according to the investigation. The original report initially cleared the privately-run prison of significant failings, but after Mr. Nunes’ mother and her legal team appealed, a reinvestigation highlighted numerous clinical failures in his care.
Throughout his time at Parc prison, Mr. Nunes, who had Type 1 diabetes and was dependent on insulin injections, faced challenges in managing his health. He did not adhere to his insulin medication regimen and exhibited aggression towards healthcare staff. The investigation found that there were significant delays in him receiving proper healthcare, including dental appointments that could have addressed his dental abscess.
Despite experiencing multiple hospital admissions due to suspected diabetic ketoacidosis, Mr. Nunes did not receive adequate monitoring or follow-up care at the prison. Staff also identified his failure to take responsibility for his health as a form of self-harm, leading to concerns about his well-being. Dental staff suspected he had a dental abscess but faced challenges in providing timely and appropriate treatment.
Tragically, Mr. Nunes’ condition deteriorated, leading to his untimely death from septic shock and diabetic ketoacidosis. The reinvestigation revealed that inadequate dental care, clinical failures, and deficiencies in healthcare protocols contributed to the preventable outcome. The ombudsman highlighted the need for urgent action to prevent similar failings in the future.
The report also addressed the deficiencies in providing diabetic care to Mr. Nunes, noting instances where insulin administration was omitted, contributing to his deteriorating health. The inadequate response from healthcare staff, coupled with systemic challenges in administering insulin properly, underscored the need for urgent reforms within the prison health system.
In response to the findings, the ombudsman urged the Prison and Probation Service, NHS Wales, and the private security provider running Parc prison to address the failings promptly. She apologized for the delays in the investigation and acknowledged the distress caused to Mr. Nunes’ family. The report shed light on the need for improved healthcare standards and a commitment to ensuring the well-being of inmates in Wales’ prison system.
Parc prison has faced scrutiny in recent years due to a series of controversies, including sudden deaths, drug use, and violence within the facility. The tragic case of Mr. Nunes highlights the critical importance of maintaining adequate healthcare standards and addressing systemic issues to prevent further tragedies within the prison system.