Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2017

Andrew Wilson

Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, reference 2017-0152, written 8 May 2017. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.

Date of report8 May 2017
Reference2017-0152
DeceasedAndrew Wilson
CoronerAlan Blunsdon
Coroner areaNorth East Kent
CategoryHospital Death (Clinical Procedures and medical management) related deaths
Organisation namedEast Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust · Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust
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.

North East Kent Coroners  
Aberdeen House 
68 Ellington Road 
Ramsgate 
CT11 9ST 

Telephone:  
New and Current Cases: 03000 410603 
General Enquiries: 03000 410604 
Email: nekcoroner@kent.gov.uk  

REGULATION 28 REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS 

THIS REPORT IS BEING SENT TO:  East Kent Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 
CORONER 

1 

I am Alan Blunsdon Assistant Coroner for North East Kent 

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 29/02/2016 I commenced an investigation into the death of Andrew Jonathan WILSON. The 
investigation concluded at the end of the inquest 28th April 2017. The conclusion of the inquest was 
Andrew Jonathan Wilson died on the 31st July 2015 at the Kent and Canterbury Hospital, Ethelbert Road, 
Canterbury, Kent. He had been admitted to Maidstone Hospital on 20th July 2015 with a diagnosis of 
sepsis. An Inquest failed to establish the source of the sepsis. He was transferred to the renal unit at Kent 
and Canterbury Hospital. He deteriorated and died of natural causes. 
1a    
 b 
c   
II   
Failure, Dilated Cardiomyopathy 

 End-stage Renal failure (on peritoneal dialysis), Diabetes Mellitus, Congestive Cardiac 

 Sepsis (unknown origin) 

4 

5 

CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH 
Mr Andrew Wilson had a complex medical history which involved careful cardiac and diabetic 
management. He developed chronic kidney disease and in February 2015 he presented with worsening 
cardio-renal failure and underwent temporary haemodialysis via a femoral line on ICU in Maidstone 
Hospital. Long term treatment was arranged with the Renal Unit at the Kent and Canterbury Hospital but 
for convenience patients can be seen by the Renal Unit Consultant at a number of satellite sites 
throughout Kent. Mr Wilson was not suitable for haemofiltration within the Renal Unit and elected from 
March 2015 to have peritoneal dialysis each night at home. This method of treatment is outsourced by 
the Renal Unit and supplied and supported by a private organisation. The use of peritoneal dialysis 
equipment requires specialised training for both the medical care staff and the patient. Mr Wilson was 
admitted to the Maidstone Hospital on the 20th July 2015 suffering from blurred vision, considerable 
abdominal pain and reduced ability to pass urine. A diagnosis of sepsis associated with several potential 
sites was made. Although Mr Wilson had a nightly regime of home peritoneal dialysis in place, neither 
Maidstone Hospital nor the satellite renal unit could provide such dialysis for the nights of 20th, 21st, 22nd 
July 2015. The explanation for the absence of dialysis provided by the East Kent Hospital Trust is that 
there are insufficient numbers of trained clinical staff available to provide peritoneal dialysis treatment at 
Hospitals outside the Renal Unit at Canterbury. Further the outsourced staff would not be permitted to 
provide treatment within the hospital. Mr Wilson was transferred to the Renal Unit at the Kent and 
Canterbury Hospital on the 23rd July 2015 and peritoneal dialysis was recommenced. Mr Wilson was 
eventually overwhelmed by the sepsis and died. 
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) Although it was established on the balance of probability (after hearing the clinicians and an 
independent expert Consultant Nephrologist) that the absence of peritoneal dialysis on THIS occasion did 
not contribute to the death, the absence of any arrangements to provide peritoneal dialysis at hospitals 
other than the renal unit at Canterbury raised a concern. 

(2) There was an apparent absence of knowledge on the part of the treating clinicians at Maidstone 
Hospital that peritoneal dialysis could not be arranged either during the day or over –night at that 
hospital as there were no trained staff available nor was the equipment available. There were no 
arrangements in place to transport the equipment from the home of a patient to the hospital. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 6 

ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN 

In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe you East Kent Hospitals NHS 
Foundation Trust 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 3rd July 
2017. 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 

, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust.  

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 

08/05/2017 

Signature:  

Alan Blunsdon Assistant Coroner North East Kent

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