Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2014

Norma Sheppard

Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, reference 2014-0129, written 21 Mar 2014. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.

Date of report21 Mar 2014
Reference2014-0129
DeceasedNorma Sheppard
CoronerAndrew Haigh
Coroner areaStaffordshire (South)
CategoryHospital Death (Clinical Procedures and medical management) 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

THIS REPORT IS BEING SENT TO:

1.  Chief Executive – Queens Hospital Burton Upon Trent

CORONER

I am Mr Andrew Haigh senior coroner for the coroner area of Staffordshire South

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.

1

2

3

INVESTIGATION and INQUEST

On 19 April 2013 I commenced an investigation into the death of Norma Doris
Sheppard, 86 years. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 13
March 2014. The conclusion of the inquest was accidental death.

4

CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH

On 6th February 2013 Mrs Sheppard fell in the care home where she lived and
broke her right hip.  She was admitted to Queens Hospital, Burton where she
underwent a surgical repair the next day.  She has then suffered a stroke and her
swallowing has been affected.  She was discharged to another care home on 25th
March where she died on 10th April from the effects of the fall.

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.  –

There was considerable confusion about the terms of Mrs Sheppard’s discharge
from Queens Hospital to the care home on 25 March 2013. There was a written
discharge letter that indicated that Mrs Sheppard should continue to receive sub
cutaneous fluids at the care home and this presented considerable difficulties in

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 finding somewhere suitable to take her. In fact when she was discharged it
appears to be on an understanding that she was not going to receive sub
cutaneous fluids although this was contrary to the discharge document.

6

ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN

In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe you,
the Chief Executive 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 16 May 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 and family members 
 I have
also sent it to The Manager’s of Mavesyn Ridware Care Home and St Quentin’s
Nursing Home, Legal Services Manager 
Sunderland Mr Derek Winter who may find it useful or of interest.

 and HM Senior Coroner

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]                                              [SIGNED BY CORONER]

Andrew A Haigh
HM Senior Coroner
Staffordshire (South)

Staffordshire County Council

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