Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2014

Margaret Easterfield

Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, reference 2014-0091, written 3 Mar 2014. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.

Date of report3 Mar 2014
Reference2014-0091
DeceasedMargaret Easterfield
CoronerRachel Redman
Coroner areaKent (Central & South East)
CategoryHospital Death (Clinical Procedures and medical management) related deaths
Organisation namedEast Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust
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  

REGULATION 28 REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS 

THIS REPORT IS BEING SENT TO:  

East Kent Hospitals University 
NHS Foundation Trust 
Trust Office 
Kent & Canterbury Hospital 
Ethelburt Road 
Canterbury  
CT1 3NG 

1 

CORONER 

I am Rachel Redman, Senior Coroner, for the Coroner area of Central and South East 
Kent. 

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 19th February 2014 I commenced an investigation into the death of Margaret Joy 
Easterfield. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 19th February 
2014. The conclusion of the inquest was that Margaret Joy Easterfield died as a result of 
the unintended consequence of necessary surgical treatment 

4 

CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH 

Margaret Joy Easterfield required a reversal of Ileostomy loop. She developed peritonitis 
after requiring readmission to hospital after the surgery and subsequently died there. 

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:- 

I am concerned that Mrs Easterfield underwent surgery on 26th October 2012 following 
which there was an anastomotic leak. She was discharged from hospital on the 30th 
October and was readmitted on 31st October, becoming profoundly unwell in the 
afternoon of the 3rd November and dying on the 4th November. I consider that a leak of 
ileo-ileal anastomosis is relatively rare and raises the question of technical error on the 
part of the surgeon. Because of my concern about the incidences of an anastomotic 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 breakdown, I am raising this matter with you as I believe you can carry out action to 
prevent further death. 

6 

ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN 
To monitor incidences of an anastomotic breakdown within the Surgical Directorate at 
East Kent Hospitals NHS Trust. 

7 

YOUR RESPONSE 

You are under a duty to respond to this report within 56 days of the date of this report, 
namely by 26th April 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:- 

– Deceased’s brother 

Clyde & Co – 

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 

DATE:  03rd March 2014   SIGNED :

Related reports

Other reports by Rachel Redman

See all →

More reports categorised “Hospital Death (Clinical Procedures and medical management) related deaths”

See all →

Track East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust

See every Prevention of Future Deaths report matching East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust, and how often a new one appears.

What would an alert for this have sent me? Search the full text

Free to try — the preview shows the real matches and how many arrived in the last 12 months. Your first email alert is free.

These reports are published by the Chief Coroner's office at judiciary.uk and are © Crown copyright. The text here is reproduced from the published PDF so it can be searched. If something on this page is wrong, or you are a person named in it and want it reviewed, email drcjar@gmail.com and we will act promptly.