Gallop, David

Independent investigation into
A report by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman
the death of Mr David Gallop,
a prisoner at HMP Forest Bank,
on 7 October 2023
A report by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman
Third Floor, 10 South Colonnade Email: mail@ppo.gov.uk T l 020 7633 4100
Canary Wharf, London E14 4PU Web: www.ppo.gov.uk
© Crown copyright, 2024
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1. The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman aims to make a significant contribution to
safer, fairer custody and community supervision. One of the most important ways in
which we work towards that aim is by carrying out independent investigations into
deaths, due to any cause, of prisoners, young people in detention, residents of
approved premises and detainees in immigration centres.
2. If my office is to best assist His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) in
ensuring the standard of care received by those within service remit is appropriate,
our recommendations should be focused, evidenced and viable. This is especially
the case if there is evidence of systemic failure.
3. Mr David Gallop died in hospital of bronchopneumonia (inflammation of the lungs
caused by infection) on 7 October 2023, while a prisoner at HMP Forest Bank. He
was 91 years old. We offer our condolences to Mr Gallop’s family and friends.
4. The PPO family liaison officer tried to contact Mr Gallop’s next of kin by telephone
to explain the investigation and to ask if they had any matters they wanted us to
consider. However, she was unable to make contact.
5. NHS England commissioned an independent clinical reviewer, to review Mr Gallop’s
clinical care at Forest Bank. She concluded that the clinical care Mr Gallop received
at Forest Bank was of a good standard and equivalent to that which he could have
expected to receive in the community. She made no recommendations.
6. The PPO investigator investigated the non-clinical issues relating to Mr Gallop’s
care. We did not find any non-clinical issues of concern. We make no
recommendations.
7. We shared our initial report with HMPPS. They found no factual inaccuracies.
Adrian Usher January 2024
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman
Inquest
The inquest, held on 1 May 2024, concluded that Mr Gallop died from natural causes.
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman 1
Third Floor, 10 South Colonnade Email: mail@ppo.gov.uk T l 020 7633 4100
Canary Wharf, London E14 4PU Web: www.ppo.gov.uk