Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2018

Barbara Ellis

Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, reference 2018-0038, written 2 Feb 2018. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.

Date of report2 Feb 2018
Reference2018-0038
DeceasedBarbara Ellis
CoronerKaty Skerrett
Coroner areaGloucestershire
CategoryHospital Death (Clinical Procedures and medical management) 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.

H M Senior Coroner for Gloucestershire 
Ms Katy Skerrett 

REGULATION 28 REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS 

THIS REPORT IS BEING SENT TO:   

 

 

, Clinical Chair, and 

 Lead Commissioner (Mental Health) 
Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group, Unit 5220, Valiant Court, Delta 
Way, Brockworth, Gloucester GL3 2FE and  
 Chair and Clinical Lead, and 

 Acting Chief Nursing Officer, 

Herefordshire Clinical Commissioning Group, St Owens Chambers, 22 St Owen 
Street, Hereford HR1 2PL 

1 

CORONER 

I am Katy Skerrett, Senior Coroner for Gloucestershire.                                   

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 the 24th April2017 I commenced an investigation into the death of Barbara Caroline Ellis. The 
investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on the 25th January 2018. The conclusion of the 
inquest was suicide. The medical cause of death was 1A multiple injuries 1B  

4 

CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH 

This 52 year old lady had a significant history of physical and mental health difficulties. Following 
the death of her husband in 2012 she had really struggled with her loss. From 2014 she began 
accessing  mental  health  services.  Despite  receiving  support  her  mental  state  remained  very 
fragile and she made multiple attempts to take her life. In 2017 she had been reviewed by her 
Psychiatrist and her GP. April was the anniversary of her husband’s death and her care package 
was increased to reflect this. On the 4th April she saw her support worker. Mrs Ellis was making 
future orientated statements and gave no indication that she was planning on taking her life. She 
also spoke to her daughter on the telephone at approximately 5.30 pm and again no indication 
was given. At some point during the evening Mrs Ellis made her way to the overbridge located 
near  to  Bromsberrow  Heath  between  junctions  2  and  3  of  the  M50.  She  tied  a  ligature  to  the 
bridge, and jumped off it impacting with the carriageway below and suffered multiple injuries. Mrs 
Ellis had left suicide notes on her person and at her home address. Her body was discovered by 
highway  workers.  She  was  transferred  to  the  regional  trauma  centre,  and  investigations  soon 
revealed  the  extent  of  her  injuries.  Clinicians  advised  that  she  was  not  fit  for  operative 
intervention,  and  brain  stem  testing  was  carried  out.  Mrs  Ellis  was  pronounced  deceased  at 
13.25 hours on the 6th April 2017. 

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. 

Gloucestershire Coroner's Court, Corinium Avenue, Barnwood, Gloucester, GL4 3DJ 
Tel 01452 305661    |    coroner@gloucestershire.gov.uk 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 The MATTER OF CONCERN is as follows.  – 
The  Cross  border  provision  of  care  -    whether  patients  can  access  services  adequately  when 
they have a GP in one County, and pay Council tax to another.  

In this case Mrs Ellis had a GP in Herefordshire, but paid Council Tax to Gloucestershire. This 
meant that her healthcare was being provided  by Herefordshire Commissioners, and her social 
care from Gloucestershire Social Services. This resulted in her being unable to access 
therapeutic services from either commission. 

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 
4pm  30th March 2018. 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 

(1) 
(2) 

, Acting Chief Executive of the 2gether NHS Foundation Trust, Rikenel 

Headquarters, Montpellier, Gloucester, GL1 1LY 

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. 

Dated 2nd February 2018 

Signature_________________________ 

Ms K Skerrett 
Senior Coroner for Gloucestershire 

Gloucestershire Coroner's Court, Corinium Avenue, Barnwood, Gloucester, GL4 3DJ 
Tel 01452 305661    |    coroner@gloucestershire.gov.uk

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