Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2013

James Edward Mansfield

Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, reference 2013-0288, written 10 Oct 2013. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.

Date of report10 Oct 2013
Reference2013-0288
DeceasedJames Edward Mansfield
CoronerMrs Cheney
Coroner areaCambridgeshire (South and West)
CategoryCommunity health care
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 ON ACTION TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS 

THIS REPORT IS BEING SENT TO: 

1.  Nuffield Road Medical Centre 

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 14th March 2013 I commenced an investigation into the death of James Edward 
Mansfield whose date of birth was 15 February 1943. The investigation concluded at the 
end of the inquest on 10 October 2013. The medical cause of death was:  
1a) Right haemothorax 
1b) Multiple rib fractures 
1c) Fall 
2) Atrial fibrillation with anticoagulation 
    Hypertensive heart disease 
    Hepatic cirrhosis 

The conclusion of the inquest was that Mr Mansfield died as a result of bleeding into his 
chest due to rib fractures sustained in a fall, coupled with treatment with warfarin.  

4 

CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH 
Mr Mansfield had a long history of lung related complications and had multiple 
occurrences of pneumonia. He was on warfarin. On 25 February2013  he fell at this 
home. He saw the GP who referred him to the x-ray department at Addenbrookes. An x-
ray showed four displaced rib fractures. He was reviewed in the A+E where he said he 
was comfortable and  he was discharged to the care of his GP, with a leaflet. On 27 
February  
 called the GP advising of Mr Mansfield’s  pain and she 
requested stronger painkillers. These were prescribed but he was not seen. The 
discharge summary was received by the GP Surgery on 28th February and was 
reviewed on 6 March. On 8 March Mr Mansfield called for the GP. He was admitted to 
Addenbrookes and a chest x-ray revealed a large right haemothorax. Mr Mansfield 
passed away at 18.55 on 9 March 2013.   

5 

CORONER’S CONCERNS 

During the course of the inquest the evidence revealed matters giving rise to concern. In 
my opinion there is a risk that future deaths could 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)  Mr Mansfield had an xray and was discharged from Addenbrookes Hospital on 
25 February. You have arranged that that the hospital post discharge letters to 
your surgery. This was  not received received until 28th February 2013 by which 
time Mrs Mansfield had called requesting stronger pain killers. The discharge 
summary was only  reviewed by a doctor on 6 March. You stated that only if a 
patient was admitted to hospital would their discharge letter get prompt 
attention. There was no apparent method for differentiating between discharge 
summaries which involved serious injuries and those which did not. 

(2)  When 

telephoned the surgery,  complaining of Mr Mansfield’s 
pain, strong pain killers were prescribed but he was not seen despite a long 
history of lung and chest complaints, multiple rib fractures and  treatment with 
warfarin. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 6 

ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN 

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

7 

YOUR RESPONSE 

You are under a duty to respond to this report within 56 days of the date of this report, 
namely by 3rd January 2014. 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, Addenbrookes Hospital and 
Similarly, you are 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. 

9 

[DATE]                                              [SIGNED BY CORONER]

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