Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2014

Faye Rippon

Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, reference 2014-0349, written 28 Jul 2014. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.

Date of report28 Jul 2014
Reference2014-0349
DeceasedFaye Rippon
CoronerDr Elizabeth Earland
Coroner areaExeter & Greater Devon
CategoryHospital Death (Clinical Procedures and medical management) 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)

REGULATION 28 REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS
THIS REPORT IS BEING SENT TO:

1. Ghief Executive North Devon District Hospital

1 | CORONER

| am Dr Elizabeth Ann Earland, Senior Coroner for the Exeter and Greater Devon District

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 the 19" February 2014 | commenced an investigation into the death of Faye
Elizabeth RIPPON, aged 1 day. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on
21" July 2014, The conclusion of the inquest was Lawful termination of pregnancy.

4 | CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH

Baby was delivered prematurely 21/40 gestation on 8" February 2014 at North Devon
District Hospital, following medical termination of pregnancy with Mifepristone and
Gemeprost on 6"/7" February 2014 in order to save mother’s life.

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. —

(1) | write to express concerns that in this case performance of late terminations of
pregnancy i.e. 21/40 gestation resulted in a live birth.

| am aware your protocols for the use of a foeticide BEFORE induction of labour only
allow foeticide to be used after this gestational date. However, | believe the Abortion
Act was amended specifically to avoid the problems posed with late terminations
resulting in live births.

(2)It is extremely distressing for the midwives caring for the mother to be presented with
a live baby which is not to receive life-saving medical attention, not to mention the lasting
damage to the psyche of the parents.

(3)A similar case arose at Inquest in the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital only six days
ago so live birth post induction of labour for termination of pregnancy is not an isolated
occurrence,

ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN

Urgent review of current protocols in use to evaluate the need for routine use of foeticide
in late lawful terminations of pregnancy to avoid the distress of a live birth.

| have not addressed the ethical issue of whether such babies should be left to die and |
would be interested to know what is the current legal/ethical position.

YOUR RESPONSE

You are under a duty to respond to this report within 56 days of the date of this report,
namely by Monday 22" September 2013. |, 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 [NAMES] [and to the LOCAL SAFEGUARDING BOARD (where the deceased
was under 18)]. | have also sent it to [NAMED PERSON] who may find it useful or of
interest.

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.

28" July 2014 Ann }

Dr Elizabeth A Earland
MB.Ch.B.,D.A.,Dip.Law,L.P.C,Hon.LLD
HM Senior Coroner for the Exeter and
Greater District

Room 226

County Hall

Topsham Road

EXETER

Devon EX2 4QD

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