Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2014

Magdalen Dwerryhouse

Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, reference 2014-0244, written 29 May 2014. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.

Date of report29 May 2014
Reference2014-0244
DeceasedMagdalen Dwerryhouse
CoronerAlan Walsh
Coroner areaManchester (West)
CategoryCommunity health care and emergency services related deaths
Organisation namedNorth West Boroughs Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust · Boroughs Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Sourcejudiciary.uk record · original PDF
Responses published1

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:

1. Mr Simon Barber, Chief Executive, 5 Boroughs Partnership, NHS
Foundation Trust, Hollins Park House, Winwick, WA2 9WA.

Tam Mr Alan Peter Walsh, HM Area Coroner, for the Coroner Area of
Manchester West

CORONER |
_|

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.

INVESTIGATION and INQUEST

On 26" November 2014 I commenced an investigation into the death of
Magdalen Bernadette Dwerryhouse, 77 years, born 14" April 1946.

The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 16" May 2014.

The medical cause of death was: 1a) Inhalation of Products of Combustion
2) Coronary Artery Atheroma

The conclusion of the inquest was Misadventure.

rt

CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH

1, Magdalen Bernadette Dwerryhouse died at her home address Mi
Bradley Lane, Standish, Wigan on the 25" November 2013.

2. The deceased lived alone at ne, Standish, Wigan with
the support of her daughter who lives in France and
her Grandson who lives nearby.

3. In July 2013 the deceased developed loss of appetite and weight
which was investigated and in November 2013 she developed
evidence of a paranoid mental illness which was being assessed at
the time of her death.

4. On the 1 November 2013. who was the deceased's
General Practitioner, was contacted by and she

expressed concern about her Mother's mental state MINN visited |

the — she saw the deceased in the
presence of M88 conducted an assessment which
identified two issues namely auditory hallucinations and possible
delusions. HEE also recorded that there was no evidence of

depression but there was a previous history of the deceased failing
to answer telephone calls from her phone.

5. WS ceferred the deceased to 5 Boroughs Partnership NHS
Foundation Trust for mental health assessment and the referral was
received by the trust on the 4" November 2013.

6. On the 6" November 2013 who is a registered
Psychiatric Nurse and a Senior Nurse Practitioner with 5 Boroughs
Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, attended the deceased’s home
address and conducted a mental health assessment. _
arranged the assessment with EN, who was present, to
a access to the premises and to assist with

information in relation to the assessment.

The mental health assessment was arranged with a.
view of the fact that the referral form completed by[and
submitted to 5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Foundation Trust stated
“Will not answer the telephone” and gave contact telephone numbers
for EE and

7. Following the assessment the deceased was discussed at a multi-
disciplinary team meeting at 5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Foundation
Trust on the 7" November 2013 and the meeting decided that the
deceased should be reviewed by an Occupational Therapist and a
Consultant Psychiatrist. The review was arranged for the 15
November 2013 and the review was to take place at the deceased's
home address. Notice of the review and the visit of the Occupational
Therapist and Consultant Psychiatrist was sent to the deceased by
letter and no arrangements were made by contacting either IEE

———_—_ in accordance with the previous contact
arrangements.

8. On the 15" November [i a Consultant Psychiatrist and
acting Deputy Manager for the Wigan and Leigh
Mental Health Assessment Team, being part of the 5 Boroughs
Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, visited the deceased’s home
address without any arrangement to meet IEEE at the
address as before. The deceased did not respond to attempts to gain
entry to the premises a. “ST who left the
remises without making any telephone contact with either IE
— or | No contact was made with office of 5
Boroughs Partnership NHS Foundation Trust on the 15° November
2013 and there was no contact with [EE who has made the
initial referral to the Trust. A note was placed on the record of 5
Boroughs Partnership NHS Foundation Trust on the 18" November
2013, which noted the failed visit to the deceased’s home address,
and on the 21* November 2013 telephoned the Trust to be

informed that the visit had failed and suggested contact with
the family. No contact was made with the family and evidence was
given at the inquest that a letter was to be sent to the deceased on
the 26" November 2013 to rearrange the visit but the letter was not
sent.

. On the 25" November 2013 the deceased was found at her home
address, which had been damaged by fire originating in the kitchen
of the premises together with smoke damage arising from the fire.
The deceased was found in a collapsed and unresponsive condition
at the bottom of the stairs in the premises and she was diagnosed as
having died at the premises on that date.

10. It was accepted at the inquest that the deceased was a vulnerable
person but there had been no contact with any outside agencies
including the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service with
regard to her vulnerability or to arrange further assessments to
protect her, particularly in relation to fire.

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:

1. During the inquest evidence was heard that:-

i. The referral of the deceased to 5 Boroughs Partnership NHS
Foundation Trust b' on the 4" November 2013 was
appropriate and gained an appropriate response from the
Trust by the initial assessment on the 6" November 2013.
The initial assessment was arranged by contacting the family
telephone numbers given by iggy on the letter of referral
to the Trust but the subsequent appointment on the 15"
November 2013 was not made in the same way and did not
involve the family as requested by|

ii. When EEE attended the premises
on the 15" November 2013 and failed to gain access they
made no contact with a member of the family, nor I
and they did not appear to take account of the information
recorded on the initial referral letter submitted b’

They did not make contact with the Trust's office on that date
and subsequently there was no contact with the family and
no attempt to rearrange the appointment, other than the
indication of a letter 11 days later which was not sent.
Furthermore there was no contact with the family following
the telephone call byMon the 21° November 2013.

5

| |

ili. Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service provide home
safety checks free of charge to persons at an increased risk of
fire and the Fire Service has developed a register of
individuals who are at an increased risk of fire. Had
information regarding the deceased’s condition been referred
to the Fire Service she would have been included on this
register and prioritised for home safety checks. The Fire
Service continues to develop and utilise referral pathways
with other agencies in the form of partnership agreements to
ensure that individuals at increased risk of fire are identified
at the earliest opportunity and relevant fire prevention
interventions are implemented. The Fire Service recommends
that Clinical Commissioning Groups, Mental Health Trusts and
other heaith providers develop agreements regarding the
sharing and use of information that would enable the delivery
of more cost effective support and potentially improve
outcomes for those most at risk.

The Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service has
attempted over the last 2 years to develop a partnership with
5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Foundation Trust but evidence
was given by the Fire Service that attempts at a partnership
had been thwarted and delayed and there appeared to be a
lack of continuity of staff involved in discussions and a lack of
motivation on the part of the Trust to enter into a
partnership. The Fire Service identifies individuals with mental
health and behavioural problems as vulnerable individuals at
high risk and, whilst it has been difficult to form a partnership
with 5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, the Fire
Service does have partnerships with other Mental Health
Trusts within the area covered by the Greater Manchester
Fire and Rescue Service.

The Fire Service would have been prepared to attend the
multti-disciplinary team meeting held at the 5 Boroughs
Partnership NHS Foundation Trust on the 7" November 2013
to assist in assessment and any action to be taken in relation
to the deceased but there was no contact with the Fire
Service, who was not invited to attend.

2. Ihave concerns with regard to the following:-

i. The systems and procedures within 5 Boroughs Partnership
NHS Foundation Trust with regard to the arrangements of
appointments with vulnerable individuals particularly when
directions are given by a Health Professional, namely

HE in the case of the deceased.

ii. T have further concerns with regard to procedures to be
undertaken if a visit fails for lack of access including contact
with family and the original referrer to rearrange an

appointment as soon as possible.

iii. The absence of any partnership agreement between the
Greater Manchester Fire Service and 5 Boroughs NHS
Foundation Trust which has failed to develop over the last
two years and which is essential to allow the Fire Service to
take action to prevent future deaths.

3. Irequest you to consider the above concerns and to review the
following:-

i. The arrangements of appointments, contact with members of
the family and the procedures in relation to failed home visits
with a view to immediate action to contact family members
and original referrers to alert them to the failed visits and to
establish the reason for the failed visit and to rearrange the
visit as soon as possible.

ii. The formation of a partnership with the Greater Manchester
Fire and Rescue Service.

6 | ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN

In my opinion urgent action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I
believe you and your organisation 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 24" July 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:-

1. MR, Daughter of the deceased
2. EEE Grandson of the deceased

3. Chief Fire Officer, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service
4. TEE Dempster, Community Safety Manager, Greater
Manchester Fire and Rescue Service

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.
Qn

Dated Signed
29" May 2014 Mr Alan P Walsh

Responses

1 response published against this report on judiciary.uk. A response is a body's written reply to the coroner's concerns; publication is at the discretion of the Chief Coroner's office, so an absent response does not mean nobody replied.

Response from 5 Borough Partnership NHS Trust (PDF)
5 Boroughs Partnership INHS

NHS Foundation Trust

Our Ref: Chief Executives Office
Hollins Park Hospital
Your Re: ia Winwick
Warrington
Cheshire
08 July 2014 WA2 8WA
Te:
PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL Fax:
Email:
Mr A P Walsh
HM Coroner
Great Manchester (West)
HM Coroners Court
Paderborn House
Civic Centre
Howell Croft North
Bolton
BL1 1JW
Dear Mr Walsh,

Re: Magdalen Bernadette Dwerryhouse - Deceased

Thank you for your letter dated 30 May 2014 with regards to your findings into the death of
Magdalen Dwerryhouse and the directions given under the Regulations 28 and 29 of the
Coroners (Investigations) Regulations 2013. | would like to advise you of the actions the
Trust has taken both prior to the inquest and since receiving your letter.

Taking your points in turn | can confirm the Trust have completed the following:
|. Arrangements for Appointments / Contact with Family Members / DNA

We have implemented a full review of the operational guidance that all community teams
work to. To address the areas of concern raised within our internal investigation and also by
yourself, we have significantly amended the advice and guidance issued to our clinicians
around what action to take if a service user does not attend an appointment, or is not at
home when a planned appointment occurs.

As an interim measure before we are able to fully implement this new guidance across all
community teams, the Assistant Director of Operations has instructed an immediate change
in practice within all our Assessment Teams. The changes are stated below

- If a visit to a service users does not occur, that a telephone call to the referrer must
occur within 24 hour of the visit to alert them of this fact.

- If a service user has been referred to our service 3 times within 6 months and
repeatedly not attend appointments, or home visits, then a professionals meeting is to

Chief Executive: Mr. Simon J. Barber sit May,
Chairman: cose eo
Trust Headquarters, Hollins Park House, Hollins Lane, Winwick, Warrington, WA2 8WA G <<
Mini Com Number 01925 664094 sna”

be called to review the service user’s case for referral and potential need for
assertive outreach in conjunction with the original referrer.

-  Incircumstances where a visit does not occur the practitioner should make use of the
information provided at the point of referral in view of rearranging a further
appointment. This may include contact with family members. The impact of a failed
visit should be considered in line with the overall case and appropriate actions taken
and documented which may include rescheduling the failed appointment.

ll. Formation of a Partnership with Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service

Since Mrs Dwerryhouses death, significant work and progress has been made with Greater
Manchester fire service in preparation for the final partnership agreement being signed.

We have completed an Information Sharing Agreement and this has been agreed in principle
and will form part of the overall partnership agreement.

To accompany the agreement, operational protocols to assist staff with how to best utilise
this partnership agreement have been drawn up and are also ready for introduction on
completions of the partnership agreement.

There was a further meeting between 5 Boroughs NHS Partnership foundations Trust and
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service on the 18" July to establish agreement for the
principles set out in the partnership agreement, leading to formal signing in the near future.

As part of this agreement, we will provide GMFRS with assistance if they feel they someone
who has utilised their service may have a mental health concern, and reciprocally, our Trust
will consider a referral to the GMFRS if a fire safety assessment is considered appropriate.
This arrangement also provides reciprocal training arrangements for both organisations.
Similar processes are either in place or in draft with other Fire and Rescue services in other
parts of our catchment area.

This will be reviewed by an Executive Director and signed for on behalf of the organisation. If

| can be of any further assistance or you require further information about the steps we have
taken, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours sincerely

Director of Nursing & Quality

Chief Executive: Mr. Simon J. Barber

Chairman: Mr. Bernard Pilkington
Trust Headquarters, Hollins Park House, Hollins Lane, Winwick, Warrington, WA2 8WA 4
Mini Com Number 01925 664094 sae

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