Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2015

Tanya Page

Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, reference 2015-0038, written 2 Feb 2015. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.

Date of report2 Feb 2015
Reference2015-0038
DeceasedTanya Page
CoronerMary Hassell
Coroner areaInner North London
CategoryHospital Death (Clinical Procedures and medical management) related deaths
Organisation namedCamden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust
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.

Regulation 28:  Prevention of Future Deaths report 

Tanya Christine PAGE (died 20.05.14) 

THIS REPORT IS BEING SENT TO: 

1.  Ms Wendy Wallace 
Chief Executive 
Camden & Islington NHS Foundation Trust 
4th Floor, East Wing 
St Pancras Hospital  
4 St Pancras Way 
London  NW1 0PE 

1 

CORONER 

I am:   Coroner ME Hassell 
           Senior Coroner  
           Inner North London 
           St Pancras Coroner’s Court 
           Camley Street 
           London  N1C 4PP 

2 

CORONER’S LEGAL POWERS 

I make this report under the Coroners and Justice Act 2009,  
paragraph 7, Schedule 5, and  
The Coroners (Investigations) Regulations 2013, 
regulations 28 and 29. 

3 

INVESTIGATION and INQUEST 

On 27 May 2014, I commenced an investigation into the death of Tanya 
Christine PAGE. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 
29 January 2015.  

The determination made by the jury at inquest was that, Tanya Page took 
her own life while suffering from psychotic depression on the background 
of emotionally unstable personality disorder. 

4 

CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH 

Tanya Page hanged herself whilst detained under a section of the Mental 
Health Act on Opal Ward of Highgate Mental Health Unit. 

1 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 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.  When Ms Page was transferred from Sapphire to Opal Ward, she 
disclosed  that  she  had  tried  to  hang  herself  whilst  on  Sapphire  a 
few days before.  Opal Ward staff members were shocked at this 
but, though they recorded the disclosure in the medical notes, they 
did not alert any staff member from Sapphire until after Ms Page’s 
death.   

From  the  evidence  given  by  the  consultant  psychiatrist  on  Opal 
Ward,  there  appeared  to be a  reluctance  to  draw  attention  to  this 
information,  because  of  the  perception  that  it  carried  with  it  a 
criticism of the staff on Sapphire.   

However,  it  was  important  that  staff  on  Sapphire  were  told,  both 
from the point of view of Ms Page herself, and because this was a 
valuable  piece  of  learning  for  them  that  could  affect  how  they 
cared for other patients.  The worry about perceived blame should 
not have prevented prompt discussion. 

There  were  other  learning  points  discussed  during  the  inquest,  such  as 
the necessity to search the laundry room as well as bedroom of a patient 
feared to be at risk of self harm; the potential for wardrobe doors to act as 
a ligature point and the desirability of sharing that learning nationally; and 
the training issues around use of alarms, ligatures, general patient safety 
and  resuscitation  techniques.    However,  evidence  was  given  that  steps 
have  already  been  taken  by  the  trust  to  act  upon  these  and  so  I  do  not 
need to comment on them further. 

6 

ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN 

In  my  opinion,  action  should  be  taken  to  prevent  future  deaths  and  I 
believe that you 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  3  April  2015.    I,  the  coroner,  may  extend  the 
period. 

2 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 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 following. 

  HHJ Peter Thornton QC, the Chief Coroner of England & Wales 
  Care Quality Commission for England 
  Professor Dame Sally Davies, Chief Medical Officer for England 
 
 

, consultant psychiatrist, Opal Ward 

 Tanya Page’s parents 

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 
interest.  You  may  make 
he  believes  may 
representations to me, the Senior Coroner, at the time of your response, 
about  the  release  or  the  publication  of  your  response  by  the  Chief 
Coroner. 

it  useful  or  of 

find 

9 

DATE                                                   SIGNED BY SENIOR CORONER 

02.02.15 

3

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