Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2014

Linda Rignall

Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, reference 2014-0414, written 19 Sep 2014. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.

Date of report19 Sep 2014
Reference2014-0414
DeceasedLinda Rignall
CoronerVeronica Hamilton-Deeley
Coroner areaBrighton & Hove
CategoryHospital Death (Clinical Procedures and medical management) related deaths
Sourcejudiciary.uk record · original PDF
Responses publishednone published

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.

THE CORONER’S OFFICE
WOODVALE, LEWES ROAD
BRIGHTON

BN2 3QB

VERONICA HAMILTON-DEELEY, LL.B.
Her Majesty’s Senior Coroner
for the City of Brighton & Hove

Assistant Coroners

CATHARINE PALMER LL.B (HONS)
MICHAEL KEEN

KAREN HENDERSON, BSC,BM,MRCPI,FRCA
GILVA D.J.TISSHAW, BA(LA W)HONS

Telephone: Brighton (01273) 292046
Fax: Brighton (01273) 292047

CORONERS SOCIETY OF ENGLAND AND WALES

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 !S BEING SENT TO:
1. Mr. Matthew Kershaw Chief Executive, The Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton

2. Head Nurse / Matron —- AMU - The Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton
3.

1 CORONER

| am Veronica HAMILTON-DEELEY, Senior Coroner, for the City of Brighton and Hove

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 7"" May 2014 ! commenced an investigation into the death of LINDA ANNE RIGNALL.The
investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 4"" September 2014. The conclusion of the
inquest was a Narrative Conclusion.

4 CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH

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) At 17:33 on the 5"" May 2014, Linda Rignall's condition changed and this was recorded on the

NEWS Observation chart. This change in condition should have been reported to a Doctor on
the Acute Medical Unit and she should have been assessed. The position worsened some4 |

1

VERONICA HAMILTON-DEELEY, LL.B.
Her Majesty’s Senior Coroner
for the City of Brighton & Hove

THE CORONER’S OFFICE
WOODVALE, LEWES ROAD
BRIGHTON

BN2 3QB

Assistant Coroners

CATHARINE PALMER LL.B (HONS)
MICHAEL KEEN

KAREN HENDERSON, BSC,BM,MRCPI,FRCA
GILVA D.J.TISSHA W, BA(LAW)HONS

Telephone: Brighton (01273) 292046
Fax: Brighton (01273) 292047

hours later (the next time observations were performed) and there was still no request for a
medical review.

From the evidence it was clear to me and | found as you will see from the Conclusion that |
recorded that this failure to refer Miss Rignall for assessment resulted in the only window of
opportunity available to treat her, being fost.

This makes me concerned as to AMU's Fitness for Purpose at the current time. | consider this
to be serious.

6 ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN

In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and | 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
(19" September 2014), namely by 14" November, 2014. |, Veronica HAMILTON-DEELEY 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

| have sent a copy of my report to the Chief Coroner and to the following Interested Persons

Quayside Medical Practice, Newhaven

Secretary of State for Health, Department of Health

Sir David Nicholson/Simon Stevens — Chief Executive NHS England
National Patient Safety Agency

-_—____ Director for Clinical Quality and Primary Care

irector of Public Health
~ Medico Legal Services Manager

| am also under a duty to send the Chief Coroner a copy of your response.

CON DARwWN >

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: 19” September, 2014 SIGNED BY:

Senior Coroner srighowane Ce Hove

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