Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2014

Frances Bell

Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, reference 2014-0299, written 6 Jun 2014. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.

Date of report6 Jun 2014
Reference2014-0299
DeceasedFrances Bell
CoronerCaroline Beasley-Murray
Coroner areaEssex
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.

HM Coroner’s Court  
A Block – Ground Floor 
County Hall  
Victoria Road 
Chelmsford 
CM1 1QH 

Telephone: 0333 013 5000 
coroner@essex.gov.uk 

ANNEX A 

HM Senior Coroner for Essex  

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: 

Southend Hospital 

1 

CORONER 

I am Caroline Beasley-Murray, Senior Coroner, for the coroner area of Essex 

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 18 April 2012 Dr Peter Dean the former Southend Coroner commenced an 
investigation into the death of Frances Margaret Ann Bell. The investigation concluded 
by me at the end of the inquest on 6 March 2014. The conclusion of the inquest was a 
narrative verdict:- 

In the evening of 30 March 2012, Frances Margaret Ann Bell presented at Southend 
Hospital and she was discharged just after midnight. She was readmitted the next day 
and on 1 April she underwent abdominal surgery. She died on 13 April 2012. There 
were very serious failings in the care Mrs Bell received in Southend Hospital. With 
timely, appropriate care Mrs Bell might have survived.  
The medical cause of death was :- 

1a) bowel ischaemia 
  b) internal herniation 
11) abdominal adhesions 

 4  CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 On 30 March 2012 Mrs Bell presented at Southend Hospital with abdominal pain and 
she was discharged at just after midnight 
On 31 March Mrs Bell was readmitted and she underwent surgery on 1 April 
There were very serious failings in the care Mrs Bell received in Southend Hospital 
CORONER’S CONCERNS 

5 

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)  There was no Root Causes Analysis Investigation carried out which would have 

identified lessons learned and an action plan 

(2)  There was no input from senior clinical staff at the time of Mrs Bell’s presentation on 

30 March 

(3)  There was an unacceptable delay between Mrs Bell’s readmission on the 31 March 

and her arrival in theatre on 1 April 

6 

ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN 

In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe 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 1st August 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 – 

Pattinson Brewer solicitor acting on behalf of the family 

Care Quality Commission 

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 

6 June 2014

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