Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2016

John Smith

Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, reference 2016-0366, written 18 Oct 2016. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.

Date of report18 Oct 2016
Reference2016-0366
DeceasedJohn Smith
CoronerJean Harkin
Coroner areaManchester City
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 .

REGULATION 28 REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS

THIS REPORT IS BEING SENT TO:

Medical Director, UHSM, Wythenshawe Hospital.
Next of Kin.

1.

2.

3. Chief Coroner
4. Lord Chancellor

CORONER

lam Mrs Jean Harkin , Assistant Coroner, for the coroner area of City of Manchester.

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.

INQUEST Date:- 19” September 2016

Name of Deceased:- John Graham SMITH
Date of Birth:- 30" May 1938
Date of Death:- 5" October 2015

CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH

Mr Smith had been admitted to Wythenshawe Hospital Manchester on 13" September
2015 following a fail in his garden. He looked aftér his wife who had dementia and he
himself had been diagnosed with dementia. Di ns from paramedics (who
made a safeguarding referral), his family a who advised an
intermediate care assessment, he was discharged home.

It was clear to all that Mr Smith had incontinence problems and had to walk upstairs to
the bathroom. He was unsteady on his feet and the stairs at home were difficult to
navigate. He also struggled to look after himself: He was discharged home on 2a"
September 2015.

Mr Smith was re-admitted to Wythenshawe Hospital on 24"" September 2015 following a
fall at his home address. He underwent surgery to repair a fractured neck of femur on
26" September 2015 and post surgery he developéd aspiration pneumonia and died at
23.59 hours on 1° October 2015.

CORONER’S CONCERNS

1. Inadequate risk assessment prior to discharge ~ evidence heard in court confirmed
that the assessment was done using 3 standard steps/stairs. There was no
consideration of toilet needs requiring urgent toileting and Mr Smith having to climb a
difficult staircase in a hurry. Further, there were professional and family concerns raised
regarding discharge.

2. Inadequate questioning for assessment and discharge purpose
Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, agreed in court that he would not have discharged Mr
Smith knowing the above.

As a result of the discharge of a mobility and incontinent comprised patient, also
suffering with dementia and caring for his wife who also had dementia (in respite care
prior to Mr Smith’s discharge) Mr Smith suffered a further fall at home which lead to his
death indirectly.

6 | ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN

In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and | believe you and your
organisation 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 December 2016. |, 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

[DATE] ~~” [SIGNED BY CORONER]

18 October 2016

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