Patient death at Niuvanniemi Hospital leads to negligent homicide charges

A doctor and two nurses at Niuvanniemi forensic psychiatric hospital in Kuopio face charges of negligent homicide and negligent breach of official duty following a patient’s death in May 2022, prosecutors told Pohjois-Savo District Court as proceedings opened Monday.

The charges allege the death resulted from carelessness or recklessness, not intent. All three accused remain employed at the hospital, according to its chief physician.

The court ordered the hearings closed to the public and media due to extensive use of the deceased patient’s health records and private life details in evidence. The hospital provides high-security psychiatric care, including for individuals deemed criminally insane or at high risk.

The district court has reserved four days this week for the case, with a verdict to be issued later.