The Western Health and Social Care Trust has confirmed the handling of Katie Simpson’s case has been declared as a Serious Adverse Incident (SAI), almost six years after her death was written off as suicide.
After years of failing to answer questions, including whether an SAI had been declared as to what occurred after Katie was admitted unresponsive to Altnagelvin Hospital on August 3, 2020, a response has finally been provided.
Katie’s sister’s partner Jonathan Creswell claimed to have rescued her from a suicide attempt, when in fact she had been raped and murdered.
It would be months before a PSNI investigation was launched leading to Creswell’s arrest for murder.
Read more: Damning report details how Jonathan Creswell began grooming Katie Simpson when she was just 10
It would be another three years before he went on trial in April 2024, which collapsed after one day when he was discovered deceased at his bail address, having taken his own life.
During those years the Western Trust were quizzed on Katie’s time in hospital including whether an SAI had been declared.
Concerns were raised around staff voicing suspicious but told they were ‘nurses not police’. There were also issues about Creswell’s living arrangements in sharing a small house with his partner Christina, their two small children, Katie and another woman Rose de Montmorency-Wright (who was sentenced for withholding information regarding Katie’s death) given his convictions for serious violence against women.
Katie’s presentation as an alleged hanging victim was also highlighted, her 18 previous hospital admissions for horse falls in general presented by Creswell, and the failure of appropriate records for post mortem, contributing to a flawed outcome.
Having rebuffed enquiries due to live proceedings, these were resubmitted after Creswell’s trial collapsed again asking about an SAI.
As before there was no comment due to the “ongoing coroner’s case”.
Pressed again the Western Trust did issue a response to this rejecting, “Any suggestion that staff were inhibited in raising concerns. In fact, it was clinical staff, supported by managers, who provided statements and information to the PSNI. Clinical staff must exercise extreme good judgement in these circumstances and the Trust considers our professionals acted appropriately at all times.
“The Trust has policies providing directions for staff if they suspect a crime, as do those regulating our professionals. Working in health and social care does not alter responsibility in reporting crime.”
It was pointed out the Trust still hadn’t clarified if there was an SAI and while staff did work with PSNI, it was only after the murder inquiry was launched in January 2021, following a desperate struggle and not because of medical concerns at the time.
There was no response.
Further enquiries focused on the Trust’s conduct including the appropriateness of Creswell visiting Katie and being at her bedside when she died, considering strict protocols and Covid restrictions.
The Western Trust quickly distanced itself stating in general terms: “Families were involved in deciding who was allowed to visit at all times; this was not decided by staff. Each visitor had a checklist completed before being allowed to visit. These records were held in ICU.”
In February 2025 Minister for Justice Naomi Long announced an Independent Review would be undertaken by Dr Jan Melia, to examine all public authorities who had contact with Katie and Creswell.
Following publication this week the Western Trust was again asked if an SAI had been declared.
Five years after first being asked, a spokesperson advised a Rapid Review Group meeting took place on Thursday morning (May 7) at which: “It was agreed this matter meets the threshold for reporting as an SAI. This will be formally notified to the Department of Health in line with regional guidance, and the date of notification will be recorded as part of that process.”
The spokesperson concluded: “The Trust remains committed to ensuring that all learning identified through the Independent Review is thoroughly examined and implemented.”
