Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2018

Sheila Ross

Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, reference 2018-0081, written 19 Mar 2018. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.

Date of report19 Mar 2018
Reference2018-0081
DeceasedSheila Ross
CoronerDerek Winter
Coroner areaSunderland
CategoryCare Home Health 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.

Derek Winter DL
Senior Coroner for the City of Sunderland

REGULATION 28 REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS

THIS REPORT IS BEING SENT TO: -

Care Home Manager
Hylton View Care Home

CORONER

I am Derek Winter DL, Senior Coroner for the City of Sunderland

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.

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 12" November 2017 Mrs Sheila Sullivan Ross (Sheila), aged 86 years, died at Sunderland
Royal Hospital. The Inquest, as part of my Investigation, concluded on 14" March 2018, when
I recorded a conclusion of Accident.
The Cause of Death following Post-Mortem Examination was: -

Ia Pelvic Haematoma

Ib Fracture Pubic Rami

II Chronic Ischaemic Heart Disease

CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH

Sheila was admitted to Sunderland Royal Hospital on 10" November 2017 following an
unwitnessed fall at the Hylton View Care Home. It was initially thought that Sheila had not
sustained any serious injury from her fall. However, after care staff had hoisted her into her
chair, she began to complain of pain, and an ambulance was called. An x-ray examination
showed stable bilateral pubic rami fractures, which were suitable for supportive treatment only
via rest and analgesia. Sheila was found to have a urinary tract infection and was treated for
urinary sepsis via insertion of urinary catheter, intravenous fluids, oxygen and antibiotics. A
pelvic ultrasound scan was ordered to assess her bladder issue. Sheila sadly deteriorated and
passed away on 12" November 2017.

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

Civic Centre, Burdon Road,Sunderland, SR2 7DN
Tel 0191 5617843 | Fax 01915537803 | DX 60729 Sunderland
www.sunderland.gov.uk/coroner

it is my statutory duty to report to you.
The MATTERS OF CONCERN are as follows. —

(1) The falls risk assessment tool used by the Care Home staff appeared to be outdated, and
the subsequent level of falls risk recorded by staff was not in keeping with the score
generated by the assessment tool.

(2) The Care Home buzzer system only allowed one alert mechanism — personal buzzer or
sensor mat — to be active at any one time, unless a resident could access the wall buzzer.
This can leave residents unable to summon timely assistance when needed.

(3) There was poor communication from the Care Home with Sheila’s family members,
which led them to lose confidence in the standard of care Sheila was receiving.

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.

YOUR RESPONSE

You are under a duty to respond to this report within 56 days of the date of this report, namely
by 17" May 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.

COPIES and PUBLICATION

I have sent a copy of my report to the Chief Coroner and to the following: -
e Family
e Sunderland Royal Hospital
e Care Quality Commission (CQC)

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 this 19" day of March 2018

Signature i) L) GR

Senior Coroner for the City of Sunderland

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