Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2016

Doreen Mattinson

Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, reference 2016-0156, written 18 Apr 2016. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.

Date of report18 Apr 2016
Reference2016-0156
DeceasedDoreen Mattinson
CoronerJacqueline Devonish
Coroner areaInner North London
CategoryCare Home Health 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 TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS 

THIS REPORT IS BEING SENT TO: 

15 Atherden Road London E5 0QP 

1 

CORONER 

Manager, Acorn Lodge Care Home  

I am Jacqueline Devonish, assistant coroner, for the coroner area of Inner North London 

2 

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. 

3 

INVESTIGATION and INQUEST 

On 9 December 2015 I commenced an investigation into the death of Doreen Mattinson, 
aged 80 years. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on Thursday 14 
April 2016. The conclusion of the inquest was that the medical cause of death was 
Bronchopneumonia and Pulmonary Embolus due to Carcinoma of the Left Lung.  The 
conclusion as to the cause of death was that the death was from natural causes. 

4 

CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH 

Doreen Mattinson became a resident of Acorn Care Home on 2 February 2015 when 
she had been assessed as not having the capacity to reside in sheltered 
accommodation. 

On 7 July 2015 Hackney Social Services issued a Deprivation of Liberty Order due to 
her inability to make decisions about her accommodation, care or treatment as a result 
of her diagnosis of dementia.  Other comorbidities included Chronic Obstructive 
Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA) and recurrent falls. 

Her health remained stable until 27 October 2015 when she developed a cough.  The 
GP attended Doreen Mattinson at the request of Acorn Care Home on six occasions 
between 28 October and 11 November 2015 due to concerns about the cough, and a 
possible CVA.  She was initially treated with a nebuliser, given her COPD.  When the 
cough had not improved by 11 November she was treated with antibiotics for a 
suspected chest infection. 

On 12 November 2015 Doreen Mattinson  deteriorated rapidly and with laboured 
breathing.  The Clinical Manager, who is a registered nurse, attended Mrs Mattinson 
together with two Senior Health Care Assistants.  The Clinical Manager administered 
oxygen at a 1 litre flow utilising a lifeline cylinder  and mask.  

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) The London Ambulance Service attended Mrs Mattinson on 12 November 2015 and 
made a Safeguarding Report relating to the use of the oxygen.  It had been reported that 
Mrs Mattinson had been lying supine on the bed saturating at 84% and struggling to 
breath.  The oxygen could not be heard to be running and it was noted that only 1 litre 
was running when this should have been a15 litre flow with the mask applied. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 (2)There was no recognition by the Clinical Manager or those present on 12 November 
2015 of the level of oxygen to be used in an emergency situation or as to the importance 
of sitting the patient in an upright position. 
(3)There was no evidence of training of the Clinical Manager, who was a registered 
nurse and the only member of staff on the residential unit on that day who would be 
expected to administer oxygen. 

6 

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.  

7 

YOUR RESPONSE 

You are under a duty to respond to this report within 56 days of the date of this report, 
namely by 13 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. 

8 

COPIES and PUBLICATION 

I have sent a copy of my report to the Chief Coroner and to the following Interested 
Persons: 
I have also sent it to Hackney Social Services and the CQC who may find it useful or of 
interest. 

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 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 

18 April 2016                                              Jacqueline Devonish

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