Joint FAI into separate deaths of three people
A joint fatal accident inquiry (FAI) is to be held into the deaths of three people who were all involved with services provided by Scotland’s largest health board.
The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) said the deaths of three people over the course of a four-month period between November 2018 and February the following year occurred in circumstances giving rise to “significant public concern”.
It has announced a discretionary conjoined inquiry into the deaths of Stephen Britt, Andrew Judge, and Colleen Higgins, all of whom had been engaged with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s services before their deaths.
Mr Britt, 40, was found dead at his home in Govanhill, Glasgow on 28 November 2018. Mr Judge, 37, died in hospital on 4 December that year following an incident at Glasgow Central Station, while Ms Higgins, 22, died in hospital on 9 February 2019, following an incident at her home in Balloch, West Dunbartonshire.
The COPFS has lodged a first notice with Glasgow Sheriff Court to begin the court process for a conjoined FAI.
Procurator Fiscal Andy Shanks, who leads on fatalities investigations for COPFS, said: “The Lord Advocate considers that the deaths of Stephen Britt, Andrew Judge and Colleen Higgins occurred in circumstances giving rise to significant public concern and as such a joint discretionary fatal accident inquiry should be held.
“The lodging of the first notice enables FAI proceedings to commence under the direction of the sheriff. The families will continue to be kept informed of significant developments as court proceedings progress.”
A preliminary hearing will be held on 4 October at Glasgow Sheriff Court.