Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2013

Ronald Sherlock

Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, reference 2013-0181, written 9 Aug 2013. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.

Date of report9 Aug 2013
Reference2013-0181
DeceasedRonald Sherlock
CoronerWilliam Armstrong
Coroner areaNorfolk
CategoryState Custody related deaths
Sourcejudiciary.uk record · original PDF
Responses publishednone published

The report

Text extracted from the PDF text layer. Reproduced verbatim, including the scan's own layout.

REGULATION 28:  REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS (1) 

NOTE: This form is to be used after an inquest. 

REGULATION 28 REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS 

THIS REPORT IS BEING SENT TO: 

Serco Group Plc 
Serco House 
16 Bartley Wood Business Park 
Bartley Way 
Hook  
Hampshire 
RG27 9UY 

1 

CORONER 

I am William James Armstrong, Senior Coroner; for the area of Norfolk. 

2 

CORONER’S LEGAL POWERS 

I make this report under paragraph 7, Schedule 5, of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 
and regulations 28 and 29 of the Coroners (Investigations) Regulations 2013. 

3 

INVESTIGATION and INQUEST 

On the 30th of April 2012 I commenced an investigation into the death of Ronald 
Sherlock, Aged 92. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on the 2nd of 
August 2013. The conclusion of the inquest was  

Ia Chest infection 
Ib Chronic Kidney Disease 
Ic Diabetes Mellitus 

II Atrial Fibrillation 

NATURAL CAUSES 

4 

CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH 

Ronald Sherlock was a prisoner serving a sentence at HM Prison Norwich.  He had 
been sentenced to life imprisonment in 1979 and been at HM Prison Norwich since April 
2005.  Mr Sherlock suffered from a number of natural medical conditions including heart 
problems, high blood pressure, lung disease, prostate cancer, diabetes and Alzheimer’s 
disease.   He was being closely monitored and was resident on the older prisoners unit.  
His health had been deteriorating for some time and he was diagnosed with a chest 
infection on the 5th of April 2012.  On the 24th of April 2012, a healthcare assistant 
entered his cell to carry out a check and found him unresponsive.  Medical help was 
summoned but he could not be revived and was pronounced dead.  No post mortem 
was carried out and I accepted at the inquest the evidence of the treating doctor that the 
cause of death was: 

1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Ia Chest infection 
Ib Chronic Kidney Disease 
Ic Diabetes Mellitus 

II Atrial Fibrillation 

5 

CORONER’S CONCERNS 

During the course of the inquest the evidence revealed a matter giving rise to concern. 
In my opinion there is a risk that future deaths will occur unless action is taken. In the 
circumstances it is my statutory duty to report to you. 

The MATTER OF CONCERN is as follows.  –  

Prisoners accommodated in the Older Prisoners Unit of HM Prison Norwich do not have 
appropriate access to speech and language therapists who can provide assessments to 
those with swallowing difficulties and make necessary recommendations as to their 
medical management including the regulation of fluid and food intake and the provision 
of a soft diet. 

This omission was acknowledged at the hearing by a professional witness for the health 
service provider of Norwich Prison SERCO.   

6 

ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN 

In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe your 
organisation has the power to take such action.  

7 

YOUR RESPONSE 

You are under a duty to respond to this report within 60 days of the date of this report, 
namely by 8 October 20132. I, the coroner, may extend the period. 

Your response must contain details of action taken or proposed to be taken, setting out 
the timetable for action. Otherwise you must explain why no action is proposed. 

8 

COPIES and PUBLICATION 

I have sent a copy of my report to the Chief Coroner and to the following Interested 
Persons: 

The Governor of HM Prison Norwich 

I am also under a duty to send the Chief Coroner a copy of your response.  

The Chief Coroner may publish either or both in a complete or redacted or summary 
form. He may send a copy of this report to any person who he believes may find it useful 
or of interest. You may make representations to me, the coroner, at the time of your 
response, about the release or the publication of your response by the Chief Coroner. 

9 

9 August 2013 

2

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