AN Ombudsman report has raised care concerns after a rapist died in prison.

Dean Graham, of Kirkley Drive, Ponteland, was jailed in 2022 for six years and 10 months after he was found guilty of rape and sexual assault following a trial at Newcastle Crown Court.

Graham died on April 11 2023, aged 42 years old, while at HMP Northumberland. The prison is managed privately by Sodexo, while healthcare is provided by Spectrum Community Health CIC.

A post-mortem found Graham died of acute cardiorespiratory failure - sudden heart and lung failure caused by heart disease. Obesity was listed as a contributing factor.

READ MORE: Ponteland rapist dies in prison

An independent Prisons and Probation Ombudsman report said he had previously had cancer of the larynx - part of the throat - and a partial laryngectomy - removal of the larynx.

Graham was hospitalised for removal of excess throat tissue on March 30 2023 and was discharged back to HMP Northumberland on April 7 after most prison healthcare staff had left that day.

The report said: "There was subsequently no handover to day staff and despite the hospital discharge summary saying that Mr Graham’s dressing should be changed daily, this did not happen."

The Ombudsman report found while some aspects of Graham's care met the standards required, his discharge planning from hospital and subsequent care did not.

At 4.12am on April 11, Graham rang his cell bell to alert staff he needed assistance. An operational support officer (OSO) responded one minute later, finding him unresponsive.

She did not call a medical emergency code as she should have done, resulting in a delay of more than 15 minutes before an ambulance was called, during which time Graham died. 

The report said: "In response to this incident, the director launched an internal investigation into staff actions during the emergency response. The investigation found that the OSO’s delay in calling an emergency code amounted to misconduct, and she was subject to disciplinary proceedings."

In its recommendations, the report said the head of healthcare should ensure robust processes are implemented for communicating with hospitals ensuring information is appropriately shared and discharge planning is completed.

It recommended the head of healthcare review the process of sharing information between one shift and the next and ensure care plans are initiated when clinically indicated.

Since his death, HMP Northumberland introduced a requirement for staff to note recent hospital discharges in the observation book. This allows all staff to identify potentially vulnerable prisoners following medical treatment.

An HMP Northumberland spokesperson said: “Our thoughts continue to be with Mr Graham’s family and friends. A full coroner’s inquest has been held which examined all relevant matters and we have implemented all learnings, as well as building on the progress already made.”

At the inquest, held on October 14 2024, the jury concluded Graham died from natural causes.

Spectrum Community Health CIC was contacted for comment.