Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2018

Andrew Crane

Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, reference 2018-0158, written 22 May 2018. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.

Date of report22 May 2018
Reference2018-0158
DeceasedAndrew Crane
CoronerPhilip Barlow
Coroner areaNorthamptonshire
CategoryState Custody 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.

ANNEX A 

REGULATION 28:  REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS (1) 

REGULATION 28 REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS 

THIS REPORT IS BEING SENT TO: 

1.  The Governor, HMP Ryehill  

1 

CORONER 

I am Philip Barlow, assistant coroner, for the coroner area of Northamptonshire. 

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 18 November 2016 an investigation was commenced into the death of Andrew 
Crane, age 53. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 25 April 2018. 
The conclusion of the inquest was that Mr Crane died of natural causes. The medical 
cause of death was 1a) Acute myocardial insufficiency 1b) Coronary artery 
atherosclerosis 2) Long term smoking habit. 

4 

CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH 

Mr Crane suffered a cardiac arrest in his cell on 16 November 2016 and he died despite 
efforts at resuscitation. The following non-causative failures were recorded in the 
conclusion: Mr Crane had previously been noted to have high blood pressure and high 
blood sugar, but there was a failure by the prison healthcare system to follow up and 
monitor these results; there was a failure by the ambulance service to ensure that an 
ambulance was dispatched promptly. 

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.  –  

Although both the prison and ambulance service have made amendments to their 
systems to address other matters of concern which arose during the inquest, the 
following matters remain: 

(1) Mr Crane had complained of chest pain shortly before his cardiac arrest. The prison 
officer did not consider that he was unwell and so asked the healthcare nurse to attend. 
According to PSI 3/2013 and the prison’s emergency response policy, a complaint of 
chest pain should result in a Code Blue call. There was a lack of clarity amongst 
witnesses as to what, if any, discretion should be given in these circumstances to a 
prison officer who thinks that a complaint of chest pain does not require a Code Blue 
response. 

(2) A Code Blue was called when Mr Crane collapsed, and at this stage an ambulance 

1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 was called. After this call, it became clear that Mr Crane was not breathing and CPR 
was commenced, but this further information was not passed to the ambulance service. 
This information would have changed the priority of the ambulance response. 

6 

ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN 

In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe you and/or 
your organisation 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 17th July 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: 

Mr Crane’s family 
East Midland Ambulance Service. 

I have also sent it to HM Prison and Probation Service who may find it useful or of 
interest regarding the interpretation of PSI 3/2013. 

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 

   Date:   22nd May 2018                                             Philip Barlow 

2

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