Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2014

Scarlett Sinclair

Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, reference 2014-0059, written 3 Feb 2014. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.

Date of report3 Feb 2014
Reference2014-0059
DeceasedScarlett Sinclair
CoronerMaria Voisin
Coroner areaAvon
CategoryHospital Death (Clinical Procedures and medical management) related deaths
Organisation namedBristol NHS Foundation Trust · North Bristol NHS Trust
Sourcejudiciary.uk record · original PDF
Responses publishednone published

The report

Text recovered by OCR from a scanned PDF. OCR is imperfect: check anything you rely on against the source PDF. 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:

4. Oxford Universtiy Hospitals NHS Trust

4 | CORONER

lam Maria Voisin, Senior Coroner, for the Area of Avon

2 | CORONER'S LEGAL POWERS

| 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.
[HYPERLINKS]

3 [ INVESTIGATION and INQUEST

On 15th February 2013 | commenced an investigation into the death of Scarlett Lucie
SINCLAIR, Aged 25 days. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 31st
January 2014. The conclusion of the inquest was

la Fulminant necrotising enterocolitis
il Hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy and chronic lung disease
and history of Twin to Twin transfusion

CONCLUSION: Natural Causes

4 | CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH

Scarlett was born at 28 weeks gestation she one of twin girls who were both initially
managed in Oxford.

The plan was to transfer Scarlett to Bristol as this was nearer to her home and | am told
that this is standard practice. She was therefore transferred to the neonatal unit at
Southmead Hospital at the age of 23 days on 6"" February.

Within hours of being transferred she became unwell. | was told that around 3-4 a.m, she
became more pale and her abdomen was distended. Medical management was
commenced with a view to treating necrotising enterocolitis, again | was told during the
inquest that this was standard management and an x-ray was taken.

At 7am there was an acute deterioration which necessitated surgical involvement and
Scarlett was transferred for surgical management to another hospital close by. Sadly the
surgeon confirmed that there was nothing that could be done due to the extent of the
necrosis and Scarlett died a few hours later.

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 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. —

During the inquest evidence was given from the Consultant Locum Neonatologist at
Oxford as to how a baby is assessed as being suitable for transfer to another neonatal
unit. | also heard evidence from a Consultant Neonatologist from Bristol who confirmed
that the assessment of suitability for transfer from the United Hospitals Bristol NHS
Foundation Trust means that a baby is not transferred to another neonatal unit until they
are ina much more stable condition.

I would therefore ask that you review your policy for assessing a babies wellness, stability
and indeed suitability prior to approving that baby fit for transfer between neonatal units

ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN

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

YOUR RESPONSE

You are under a duty to respond to this report within 56 days of the date of this report,
namely by 4°* April 2014. |, 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.

COPIES and PUBLICATION

| have sent a copy of my report to the Chief Coroner and to the following Interested
Persons which includes the family, University Hospitals NHS Trust and North Bristol NHS
Trust and to the LOCAL SAFEGUARDING BOARD (where the deceased was under 18)].

lam 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.

3 February 2014 M.E. a

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