Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2017

Christina Smith

Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, reference 2017-0107, written 4 Apr 2017. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.

Date of report4 Apr 2017
Reference2017-0107
DeceasedChristina Smith
CoronerTony Williams
Coroner areaSomerset
CategoryCommunity health care and emergency services related deaths · Hospital 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.

Tony Williams
Senior Coroner for Somerset

REGULATION 28 REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS

THIS REPORT ENT TO: The Medical Director, Yeovil District Hospital, Yeovil,
Somerset and GP, Bute House Surgery, Sherborne, Dorset

CORONER

lam Tony Williams, Senior Coroner for Somerset

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.
http//www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2009/25/schedule/5/paragraph/7

http://www. legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2013/1629/part/7/made

INVESTIGATION and INQUEST

On 27/04/2016 | commenced an investigation into the death of Christina Ingrid Smith, 70 . The
investigation concluded at the end of the inquest.on 15/02/2017. The conclusion of the inquest
was Natural Causes On 31st March 2016 at A Sherborne Mrs Smith
died from a naturally occurring haemorrhage. Intrathoracic Haemorrhage Ruptured Dissecting
Aortic Aneurysm - Chronic Pulmonary Obstructive Disease

CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH

On 30" March 2016 Mrs Smith was referred by her GP to the Emergency Department (ED) of
Yeovil District Hospital (YDH). Those assessing Mrs Smith in the ED were not aware of her
being under review for a known Abdominal Aneurysm (AA). An ultrasound scan was requested
to determine if Mrs Smith had a gallbladder disease.

On 30" March 2016 Mrs Smith returned to YDH when the scan was performed and the results
received. By this time those assessing Mrs Smith knew of the AA and were satisfied it had not
changed in size. A CT scan was requested. The CT scan was planned for 1° April 2016.
Overnight Mrs Smith deteriorated and died at home. Post Mortem confirmed the cause of death
as set out above.

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) Areport on Mrs Smith of 2011 identified both an Abdominal Aneurysm and a Thoracic
Aneurysm. It appears Mrs Smith was never told of the existence of the Thoracic Aneurysm. It
appears Mrs Smith's GP was never told of the existence of the Thoracic Aneurysm.

(2) Only Mrs Smith’s Abdominal Aneurysm was placed under surveillance so as to monitor any
possible increase in size. Mrs Smith’s Thoracic Aneurysm was not placed under surveillance.
(3) There appears to have been a breakdown in communication with regard to advising both Mrs
Smith and her GP as to the existence of the Thoracic Aneurysm.

Old Municipal Building, Corporation Street, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 4AQ
Tel | Fax 01823 355060

ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN

In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and | 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
30/05.2017. |, 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

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

| 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.

Dated 04 April 2017

Signature
Senior Coroner for Somerset

Old Municipal Building, Corporation Street, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 4AQ
Tel | Fax 01823 355060

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