Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2013

Douglas Grey

Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, reference 2013-0253, written 3 Oct 2013. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.

Date of report3 Oct 2013
Reference2013-0253
DeceasedDouglas Grey
CoronerChinyere Inyama
Coroner areaEast London
CategoryCare Home Health 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) 

REGULATION 28 REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS 

THIS REPORT IS BEING SENT TO: 

1. 

Associate Director of Consumer Relations 

and Legal Affairs. 

2.  The Manager, Floron Residential Home, 236-238 Upton 

Lane, Forest Gate, Newham, E7 9NP  

1. 

I  am  Chinyere  Inyama,  senior  coroner  for  the  coroner  area  of  East  
London. 

2.  CORONER’S LEGAL POWERS 

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

3. 

INVESTIGATION and INQUEST 

On  14th  May  2012  I  commenced  an  investigation  into  the  death  of 
Douglas  Grey  then  aged  72  years.  The  investigation  concluded  at  the 
end of the inquest on the 25th September 2013. I concluded the inquest 
with  a  narrative,  the  medical  cause  of  death  being  right  sided 
pneumonia due to an acute subdural haematoma.  

4.  CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH 

1.  The deceased had been in a residential home since 2008 and, as 
a result of pressure sores after discharge from hospital, was given 
an  inflatable  mattress  which  was  placed  on  top  of  the  original 
mattress on his bed. 

2.  There were no cot sides or other safety features used.    

3.  He suffered a fall from his bed on the day the inflatable mattress 
was installed. Staff removed the mattress as they were concerned 
over  it  ‘slipperiness’.  He  then  suffered  a  second  fall  a  few  days 
later. The mattress was then advised to be removed by the district 
nurse. 

4.  A  few  days  after  the  second  of  the  falls  he  became  unconscious 

 
 
 and  had  to  be  transferred  to  hospital  where  he  died,  despite 
treatment, in the early hours of the 5th May 2012. 

5.  CORONER’S CONCERNS 

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

The MATTERS OF CONCERN are as follows:- 

1.  Evidence was given at the inquest that there was no clear written 
procedure  or  policy  in  place  to  ensure  notification  to  the  district 
nurses  of  delivery  of  equipment  they  had  assessed  as  being 
needed,  correct  installation  of  that  equipment  and  review  of  the 
equipment’s performance.   

2.  Evidence  was  given  at  the  inquest  that  despite  a  clear  written 
policy on recognising and reporting faults in equipment delivered 
for residents, carers did not appear to recognise the faulty nature 
of the inflatable mattress and act in accordance with the written 
policy of the home.    

6.  ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN 

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

For recipient (1) it is clear a system to carefully monitor installation and 
performance  of  equipment  recommended  by  district  nursing  teams 
should  be  set  up.  In  addition,  the  operation  of  the  system  should  be 
audited on a regular basis since potential consequences of absence of or 
poor operation of such systems are potentially so serious. 

For  recipient  (2)  it  is  clear  that  the  operation  of  the  practice  and 
procedures set down by written protocols need to be audited clearly and 
regularly. 

7.  You  are  under  a  duty  to  respond  to  this  report  within  56  days  of  the 
date  of  this  report  namely  by  3rd  December  2013.  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 
Interested Person 

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 of the publication of your response by the Chief Coroner. 

9.  3rd October 2013.

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