Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2016

Vincent Smith

Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, reference 2016-0134, written 6 Apr 2016. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.

Date of report6 Apr 2016
Reference2016-0134
DeceasedVincent Smith
CoronerDerek Winter
Coroner areaSunderland
CategoryCare Home Health 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.

Derek Winter DL
Senior Coroner for the City of Sunderland

| REGULATION 28 REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS

THIS REPORT IS BEING SENT TO: -
Village Nursing & Care Home @ Murton
Wellfield Rd
Murton
Seaham SR7 9HN

CORONER

Tam Derek Winter, Senior Coroner for the City of Sunderland.

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 of the Coroners (Investigations) Regulations 2013.
http://www. legislation. gov.uk/ukpga/2009/25/schedule/S/paragraph/7

INVESTIGATION and INQUEST

On 16" November 2015 I commenced an investi gation into the death of Mr Vincent
Smith, aged 80 years. The investigation concluded at the end of the Inquest on 1" April
2016. The conclusion of the Inquest was Accident Contributed to by Neglect.

CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH

Mr Smith was admitted to the Village Nursing and Care Home Murton on 6" November
2015. He had unwitnessed falls on 7" and 8°" November, which led to his admission to
Sunderland Royal Hospital on 9" November 2015. On 15" November 2015 Mr Smith
died from a head injury and bilateral pneumonia.

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. —

Whilst at the Village Nursing and Care Home members of staff were to monitor and
support Mr Smith’s mobilisation.

Although being on notice after his first fall, there were insufficient steps taken to assess
and act upon Mr Smith’s vulnerability.

Civic Centre, Burdon Road, Sunderland, SR2 7DN
Tel OF91 5647843 | Fax 01915537803 | DX 60729 Sunderland
www.sunderland.gov.uk/coroner

Evidence suggested that there ought to be: -

1) areview of the Home's formal written admissions policy to include verification
of the information provided about the suitability of a prospective resident for

admission, as well as
2) a review of the Home’s formal written falls risk assessments policy and

associated training for staff,

together with any other steps that ought to be taken to mitigate the risks of falls.

ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN

In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I 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 4" June 2016. 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

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

« Family

e cac

1am 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.

Dated this 6" day of April 2016

| Signature y, LD WS

Senior Coroner for the City of Sunderland

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