Philip Sleigh

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Independent investigation into
the death of Mr Philip Sleigh,
a prisoner at HMP Littlehey,
on 16 September 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
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OFFICIAL - FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
© Crown copyright, 2025
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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 Philip Sleigh died of dementia on 16 September 2023 at HMP Littlehey. He was
88 years old. We offer our condolences to Mr Sleigh’s family and friends.
4. The PPO family liaison officer wrote to Mr Sleigh’s next of kin to explain the
investigation and to ask if they had any matters they wanted us to consider. They
had no questions but asked for a copy of our report.
5. NHS England commissioned an independent clinical reviewer to review Mr Sleigh’s
clinical care at Littlehey.
6. The clinical reviewer concluded that the clinical care Mr Sleigh received at Littlehey
was of a good standard and equivalent to that which he could have expected to
receive in the community. The healthcare team consistently supported Mr Sleigh as
his general health declined. He was supported in the long-term conditions clinic and
then by the palliative care support services at Littlehey. The Dying Well in Custody
Charter was embedded in Mr Sleigh’s care and support. He also had a
comprehensive social care support package in place.
7. The clinical reviewer highlighted the good practice in the palliative and end-of-life
care provided to Mr Sleigh at Littlehey which was performed over and above the
expected practice and was of a very high standard.
8. The clinical reviewer made no recommendations about Mr Sleigh’s clinical care.
9. The PPO investigator investigated the non-clinical issues relating to Mr Sleigh’s
care. We did not find any non-clinical issues of concern. We make no
recommendations.
10. The initial report was shared with HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS).
HMPPS did not find any factual inaccuracies.
Adrian Usher April 2024
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman
Record of inquest
11. The inquest into Mr Sleigh’s death was held on 16 January 2024 and a verdict of
natural causes was recorded. The Coroner concluded that Mr Sleigh’s death was
due to dementia.
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman 1
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OFFICIAL - FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
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
OFFICIAL - FOR PUBLIC RELEASE