Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2018

Thomas Ratchford

Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, reference 2018-0147, written 11 May 2018. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.

Date of report11 May 2018
Reference2018-0147
DeceasedThomas Ratchford
CoronerCatherine McKenna
Coroner areaManchester North
CategoryCare Home Health 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.

REGULATION 28: REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS (1)
REGULATION 28 REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS
THIS REPORT IS BEING SENT TO:
, Elizabeth House (Oldham) Limited, 35 Queens Road, Oldham, 0L8 2AX
CORONER
I am Catherine McKenna, Assistant Coroner for the Coroner area of Manchester North
2 CORONER’S LEGAL POWERS
I make this report under paragraph 7, Schedule 5, of the Coroner’s and Justice Act 2009 and
Regulations 28 and 29 of the Coroners (Investigations) Regulations 2013
3 INVESTIGATION and INQUEST
On the 28 November 2017 I commenced an investigation into the death of Thomas Allan
Ratchford. The inquest concluded on 26 April 2018. The medical cause of death was
la) Sepsis
ib) Osteomyelitis
ic) Infected sacral pressure sore
2) Type 2 Diabetes, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Parkinsons Disease Dementia and
Immobility
I recorded the following Narrative Conclusion:
“Against a background of long-term immobility and a number of co-morbidities, the Deceased died
as a result of an injury sustained during respite care and contributed to by inappropriate use of a
hoist for pressure relief.”
4 CIRCUMSTANCES OF DEATH
Mr Ratchford had a number of medical conditions including Parkinsons Disease Dementia which
meant that he had been immobile for 6 years before his death. For most of that time he had been
cared for at home by his wife with the support of carers and District Nurses. On 4 October 2017,
he was admitted to Marland Court Residential Home for a period of respite care. During the
admission, he developed a deep tissue injury which extended from his sacrum, around his rectal
area, to his inner thighs. The carers at Marland Court Residential had been using the hoist to
elevate Mr Ratchford from his seat in the mistaken belief that this would provide pressure relief. It
is more likely than not that this practice contributed to his death.
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.
The MATTERS OF CONCERN are as follows:
The use of the hoist to provide pressure relief is not one that was either recognised or
recommended by the Tissue Viability Nurse who gave evidence at the inquest. It was a practice
that had been adopted by the carers at Marland Court Residential Home without obtaining advice
from either the hoist manufacturers or the District Nurses. Had advice been taken, the carers
would have been informed that it was not recommended. The matter of concern that neither the
Home Manager or the carers had received sufficient training in moving and handling and pressure
relief.
6 ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN
In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe each of you
respectively 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
6t July 2018. I, the Assistant 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
namely:
.
. Care Quality Commission
. Adult Social Care, Rochdale Borough Council
. Pennine Acute 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 from. He may
send a copy of this report to any person who he believes may find it usefulor 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.
Date: 11 May2018 Signed:
I

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