Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2014

Andrew Hooper

Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, reference 2014-0319, written 9 Jul 2014. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.

Date of report9 Jul 2014
Reference2014-0319
DeceasedAndrew Hooper
CoronerLydia Brown
Coroner areaExeter & Greater Devon
CategoryAlcohol, drug and medication related deaths
Sourcejudiciary.uk record · original PDF
Responses publishednone published

The report

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ANNEX A

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. Clinical Commissioning Group - Devon
2. Local drugs and alcohol team

1 CORONER

| am Lydia Brown assistant coroner, for the coroner area of Exeter and Greater Devon

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.

3 | INVESTIGATION and INQUEST

On 23" July 2013 | commenced an investigation into the death of Andrew john Hooper
44 years. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 14 May 2014. The
conclusion of the inquest was Misadventure with the cause of death being-

1a Respiratory Failure

1b Hypoxic Brain Injury

1c Methadone Toxicity

4 | CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH

Mr. Hooper died due to methadone toxicity. He was a naive user, and had taken a

bottle of his girlfriends prescribed medication that was freely available at
her home address. Although was aware of this, she made no attempt to
summon medical assistance for many hours until it was too late and Mr Hooper died
from

1a respiratory failure
ib hypoxic brain injury
ic methadone toxicity

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) The medication was not secured, and was prescribed in sufficient quantity for a fatal

dose to be taken by a user un-used to this medication. (bottle 420ml)
(2) the person to whom it was prescribed appeared to be unaware of the dangers of this

medication, when taken by another in large quantities.

(3) Consideration should be given to the appropriateness of prescribing to an individual
who is not able or prepared to keep the medication safe and secure, or is not aware of
the dangers of ingestion, (deliberate or otherwise), for others. If this means daily
prescription, the balance of inconvenience versus the safety of others should be
carefully weighed on an individual basis, and evidence recorded in this regard.

ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN

In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and | believe you
[AND/OR your organisation] 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 29" 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.

COPIES and PUBLICATION

| have sent a copy of my report to the Chief Coroner and to the following Interested
Persons — jaughter), MM father), Zak Hooper (son)
and sister).

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.

[DATE] (€ [SIGNED BY, CORONER]

a

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