Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2014

Elsie Plumb

Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, reference 2014-0455, written 21 Oct 2014. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.

Date of report21 Oct 2014
Reference2014-0455
DeceasedElsie Plumb
CoronerMaria Voisin
Coroner areaAvon
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.

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. Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
27 Sussex Place
London
NW1 4RG

1 CORONER

| am Maria Voisin, Senior Coroner, for the Area of Avon

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 18 May 2014 | commenced an investigation into the death of Elsie Sue PLUMB,
aged thour.

The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 14" October 2014.
The conclusion of the inquest was Natural causes.

Elsie Plumb died at 08:30 hours on 15" April 2014 at the Royal United hospital, Combe
Park, Bath, due to sepsis.

The medical cause of death was recorded as 1a Group B Streptococcal Septicaemia

4 | CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH

Elsie Plumb was born full term. Her mother during the ante-natal period was confirmed
as positive for Group B beta haemolytic streptococcus and it was recorded in the notes
that she would therefore need antibiotic cover in labour. This did not happen due to the
nature of the labour and delivery. Sadly Elsie Plumb died within an hour of delivery due
to early onset of early neonatal sepsis due to the Group B streptococcal infection.

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. —

The consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist gave evidence and indicated that
changes had taken place at the hospital to clarify guidance in relation to administering
antibiotics to the mother, and when this should be done.

He indicated that the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists Green-top
Guideline No. 36 titled “The Prevention of Early-onset Neonatal Group B Streptococcal
Disease” at paragraph 5.4 on page 4 could be more clearly written.

He stated that the sentence currently reads “If GBS colonisation was identified earlier in
the pregnancy (by a swab taken for other reasons) immediate induction of labour and
IAP should be offered”

He suggests that this sentence would be clearer if it were written as follows:

«immediate induction should be offered. IAP should also be offered, whether or not
immediate induction is performed.”

ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN

In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and | believe you 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 17" December 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 — the family and Royal United Hospital, Bath.

1 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.

21 October 2014 ME. vein

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