Department of Health and Social Care
Central Government
Noted
The Department of Health and Social Care noted that individual NHS Trusts are responsible for determining staffing levels and that Hull Royal Infirmary is under special measures. They committed to publishing a 10-Year Workforce Plan this year to ensure appropriate staffing across the NHS. (AI summary)
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Dear Professor Marks,
Thank you for the Regulation 28 report of 24 April 2026 sent to the Secretary of State about the death of Kenneth John Morris. I am replying as the Minister with responsibility for Secondary Care.
Firstly, I would like to say how saddened I was to read of the circumstances of Mr Morris’ death and I offer my sincere condolences to his family and loved ones. The circumstances your report describes are concerning and I am grateful to you for bringing these matters to my attention.
The report raises concerns over insufficient nursing staff at Hull Royal Infirmary to provide one-to-one nursing care and observation, after Mr Morris’ initial fall on the 9th December
2025. The inquest heard evidence that, had one-to-one care been provided, Mr Morris would not have fallen a second time and sustained a traumatic brain injury.
In preparing this response, my officials have made enquiries within this department to ensure we adequately address your concerns. I note that Hull Royal Infirmary is part of the Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust which has been moved into Segment 5 of the National Oversight Framework (NOF). This segment is a form of ‘special measures’ and means NHS England will have been working closely with the Trust identifying key challenges and seeking ways to address them.
I have carefully considered the situation. Individual NHS Trusts and other employers are responsible for determining staffing levels and workforce composition. They are best placed to understand their services and the needs of their patients in order to deliver safe and effective care. I would expect Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and all other NHS Trusts to ensure that their staffing arrangements, are appropriate following the tragic death of Mr Morris.
Trusts already have a duty through the Health and Social Care Act 20081 to regularly review the number of staff and range of skills needed to safely meet the needs of people using their services. In our 10 Year Health Plan we committed to publishing a new 10 Year Workforce Plan. The plan, which will be published this year, will help ensure the NHS has the right people in the right places to deliver the best care for patients. I hope this response is helpful. Thank you for bringing these concerns to my attention.
Thank you for the Regulation 28 report of 24 April 2026 sent to the Secretary of State about the death of Kenneth John Morris. I am replying as the Minister with responsibility for Secondary Care.
Firstly, I would like to say how saddened I was to read of the circumstances of Mr Morris’ death and I offer my sincere condolences to his family and loved ones. The circumstances your report describes are concerning and I am grateful to you for bringing these matters to my attention.
The report raises concerns over insufficient nursing staff at Hull Royal Infirmary to provide one-to-one nursing care and observation, after Mr Morris’ initial fall on the 9th December
2025. The inquest heard evidence that, had one-to-one care been provided, Mr Morris would not have fallen a second time and sustained a traumatic brain injury.
In preparing this response, my officials have made enquiries within this department to ensure we adequately address your concerns. I note that Hull Royal Infirmary is part of the Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust which has been moved into Segment 5 of the National Oversight Framework (NOF). This segment is a form of ‘special measures’ and means NHS England will have been working closely with the Trust identifying key challenges and seeking ways to address them.
I have carefully considered the situation. Individual NHS Trusts and other employers are responsible for determining staffing levels and workforce composition. They are best placed to understand their services and the needs of their patients in order to deliver safe and effective care. I would expect Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and all other NHS Trusts to ensure that their staffing arrangements, are appropriate following the tragic death of Mr Morris.
Trusts already have a duty through the Health and Social Care Act 20081 to regularly review the number of staff and range of skills needed to safely meet the needs of people using their services. In our 10 Year Health Plan we committed to publishing a new 10 Year Workforce Plan. The plan, which will be published this year, will help ensure the NHS has the right people in the right places to deliver the best care for patients. I hope this response is helpful. Thank you for bringing these concerns to my attention.