Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2017

Joseph Tarnowski

Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, reference 2017-0247, written 24 Aug 2017. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.

Date of report24 Aug 2017
Reference2017-0247
DeceasedJoseph Tarnowski
CoronerChris Morris
Coroner areaManchester South
CategoryCare Home Health related deaths
Organisation namedNorth West Ambulance Service NHS Trust
Sourcejudiciary.uk record · original PDF
Responses published1

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 10: EE Registered Manager,
Hillbrook Grange Residential Care Home, Ack Lane East, Bramhall, Cheshire SK7 2BY
CORONER

| am Chris Morris, Area Coroner, for the coroner area of South 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

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

hitp:/Avwww legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2013/1629/part/7/made

INVESTIGATION and INQUEST

On 25th April 2017, Alison Mutch OBE, Senior Coroner for Manchester South, opened
an inquest into the death of Joseph Tarnowski who was aged 96 when he died at
Stepping Hill Hospital, Stockport on 10th April 2017.

The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest which | heard on 4th August 2017.
The conclusion of the inquest was that Mr Tarnowski died as a consequence of injuries
sustained in a fall at Hillbrook Grange Residential Care home. At the end of the inquest, ©
| recorded a conclusion of Accident. ;

The medical cause of death was 1a) Bronchopneumonia and acute heart failure 1b)
(mmobility 1c) Fall, fractured humerus |

4 | CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH

Mr Tarnowski essentially enjoyed good health in his younger days. As years
progressed, he developed some serious and debilitating health problems including
deteriorating eyesight with wet macular degeneration. He also experienced a number of
falls whilst living in his own home and as such, family members encouraged him to move
to a residential care setting.

Following an initial period living at a home in Bolton, Mr Tarnowski moved to Hillbrook
Grange in April 2016. Mr Tarnowski settled into the home well, and essentially
appeared to be in good health, although he did develop a number of chest infections.
Mr Tarnowski walked independently with the help of a walking aid, and remained wholly
independent in respect of most activities of daily living. At all material times, Mr
Tarnowski retained capacity to make decisions about the support and assistance he
wished to accept or refuse at any given time.

On 7th April 2017, Mr Tarnowski fell whilst getting changed in his bedroom. He was
unable to get himself up, and called out to staff who came to assist him. Mr Tarnowski
was taken to Stepping Hill Hospital, Stockport, by ambulance where a displaced fracture
of the neck of the left humerus was diagnosed. Mr Tarnowski was treated
conservatively for this injury and admitted to hospital. On 9th April, Mr Tarnowski's
condition deteriorated dramatically, and he sadly died the following day.

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. —

In evidence at the inquest, it was confirmed that Mr Tarnoswki summoned assistance by
shouting out to staff rather than by using his call-bell. it became apparent during the
course of the hearing that Mr Tarnowski may not have been aware that his call-bell was
wireless, and as such could be moved around his room.

Additionally, the evidence revealed that even had Mr Tarnowski been aware that his call-
bell was portable, he may not have been able to move it due to his reliance on a mobility
aid.

At the time of the inquest, consideration had not been given to introducing call bells
which are worn by residents of the fashion that are apparently in use in some other
similar residential care setting.

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 19"" October 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 namely;

) i sister of the deceased;

2) HEE (Parner, Weightmans LLP, Solicitors to North West Ambulance
Service NHS Foundation Trust)

| have also sent it to the Care Quality Commission who may find it useful or of interest.

| 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.
24/08/2017

Christopher Morris.

Area Coroner
Manchester South

Responses

1 response published against this report on judiciary.uk. A response is a body's written reply to the coroner's concerns; publication is at the discretion of the Chief Coroner's office, so an absent response does not mean nobody replied.

Response from Hillbrook Grange (PDF)
Ack Lane East, Bramhall,

Cheshire SK7 2BY

ILLBROOK GRANGE eae
www hillbrookgrange.co uk

Making our home your home info@hillbrookgrange co.uk

September 14, 2017. frcvin ANLED

Dear Mr. Morris

RE: Joseph TARNOWSKI

In light of your recent Regulation 28 Report, you identified that we at Hillbrook Grange
Residential Care Home could do more in respect of preventing future deaths. You gave rise to
concern that there is a potential risk that future deaths will occur unless immediate action is
taken. |

|
Iam happy to say that from this verdict and report we have taken prompt and responsive
action by way of providing residents with call bells that are to be worn around their necks.
This was immediately actioned following the registered manager’s participation into the
inquest. Consequently, the board of directors approved this recommendation and purchased
the call bells without delay and the system was implemented within the week.

Ours service users are now fully equipped with their mobile call bells and we hope that we
have dramatically reduced the risk of serious impediments that result from a resident who
may fall.

We are greatly appreciative of the recommendations you have provided to us in your report. I
believe this has made the environment for the residents at Hillbrook Grange a safe place. We
the managers, board of directors and all the staff feel confident in consistently working hard
to continuously make our home the best it can possibly be.

hope the improvements we have undertaken succeeds to the entireness you required for the
recommendations to Hillbrook Grange Residential Care Home.

Thank you.
Kind regards
Jed Ch
eee

Home Administrator

Hillbrook Grange Residential Care Home; registered in England & Wales (no.07125607)
Registered charity no. 1146488

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