Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2015

Mrs Withers

Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, reference 2015-0371, written 12 Oct 2015. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.

Date of report12 Oct 2015
Reference2015-0371
DeceasedMrs Withers
CoronerHassan Shah
Coroner areaNorthampton
CategoryHospital Death (Clinical Procedures and medical management) related deaths
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 REPORT ON ACTION TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS

THIS REPORT IS BEING SENT TO:

East Midlands Ambulance Service c/o Freeth Cartwright Solicitors
Kettering General Hospital NHS Trust

CORONER

Iam Hassan Shah, Assistant Coroner for the coroner area of Northampton.

CORONER'S LEGAL POWERS

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

INVESTIGATION and INQUEST

The investigation commenced on the 19*^ February 2015. Apost mortem was conducted
by
, Consultant Histopathologist. Further evidence was obtained in
relation to the deceased's background and medical treatment by paramedics and
hospital staff. East Midlands Ambulance Service provided a "Description and
Consequences repoif.

The resumed inquest took place on the 18*^ June 2015.

The GP's evidence was read under rule 23. Live evidence was takenfrom:
, Orthopaedic registrar at Kettering General Hospital
, Assistant Director ofthe Operations Centre for EMAS

(deceased's son)

Consultant Histopathologist

1.
2.
3.
4.

The finding at inquest was that on 30"^ January 2015 at22.10 hours, the deceased had
a fall ather home. An ambulance conveyed her to Kettering General Hospital where
death was confirmed at 02.26 hours on 31®* January 2015.

Anarrative conclusion was delivered in the following term

"Mrs Withers' death was accidental however her death was contributed to by

neglect The 2hour 50 minute delay between the 999 call being placed and the
paramedic arriving probably did on the balance ofprobabilities contribute to Mrs Withers'
death"

CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH

Mrs Withers was 77 years of age. She suffered significant medical problems and
r^uired constant home oxygen. Mrs Withers was attended at home by carers and the
Rocket team.
Mrs Withers suffered a fall sustaining injury and was immobile and unable to make
telephone calls. Alifeline was activated. The paramedics arrived after a delay of 2 hours
and 50 minutes.
The Pathologist's findings were that the deceased suffered a fracture of the left pubic
ramus as a result ofa mechanical fall. This led toa significant blood loss into the soft
tissues and the consequence of this significant haemorrhage resulted in cardiac arrest.

 CORONER'S CONCERNS

^

During the course ofthe Inquest the evidence revealed matters giving rise to concern. In
my opinion there Isa risk that future deaths could occurunless action Istaken. In the
circumstances It Is my statutory duty to report to you.
The MATTERS OF CONCERN are as follows. -

1) The policy In relation to obtaining a patient's medical history during the first 999

call, reporting an Incident.

2) The policy In relation to calling back a life llne/third party where the patient Is

unable to receive calls.

3) The policy/procedure In relation to saving essential patient medical history In the

ambulance service electronic data systems.

4) The policy In relation to staff abstraction toleranceand levels.
5) The policy and protocol In relation to hand over times between East Midlands
Service paramedics and Kettering General Hospital Accident and Emergency
staff (the concern being the apparent loss of time by ambulance staff during the
handover of patient to hospital.)

ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN

In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and Ibelieve 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 Wednesday 7th December 2015.1, 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

l^have sent a copy of my report to the Chief Coroner and to the following Interested
Persons:-.

Freeth Cartwright Solicitors

Similarly, you are under aduty to send the Chief Coroner a copy of your response.
The Chief Coroner may publish either or both In acomplete or redacted or summary
forrn. 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, atthe time of your
response, about the release orthe publication ofyour response.

^

"

[SIGNED BY ASSISTANT CORONERL

z/g U

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