Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2018

Michelle Roach

Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, reference 2018-0302, written 28 Nov 2018. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.

Date of report28 Nov 2018
Reference2018-0302
DeceasedMichelle Roach
CoronerHeidi Connor
Coroner areaBerkshire
CategoryHospital Death (Clinical Procedures and medical management) related deaths · Community health care and emergency services 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.

Classification: OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE 

REGULATION 28:  REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS (1) 

REGULATION 28 REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS 

THIS REPORT IS BEING SENT TO: 

1.  Mr  Steve  McManus  –  CEO,  Chief  Executive’s  Office,  Level  4,  Royal 

Berkshire Hospital, London Road, Reading, RG1 5AN. 

2. 

  -  Practice  Manager  –  The  Waterfield  Practice,  Ralphs 

Ride, Harmanswater, Bracknell, RG12 9LH. 

1. 

CORONER 

I am Mrs Heidi J Connor, Senior Coroner for the coroner area of Berkshire. 

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 

I  conducted  an  Inquest  into  the  death  of  Michelle  Roach  that  was  heard  at 
Reading  Town  Hall between 6th and  9th November 2018.   I recorded a narrative 
conclusion as follows: 

Natural  causes  contributed  to  by  neglect  in  her  clinical 
from  0911  hrs  on  29th  January  2014  until  1807 
management  
hrs on 30th January 2014. 

4. 

CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH 

The  family  asked  us  to  refer  to  the  deceased  as  Michelle  at  the  inquest.    I  have 
reflected that request in this report.  

I  have  attached  my  detailed  summing  up  and  conclusions  provided  at  the 
conclusion of this inquest which sets out the history in detail.                     

Classification: OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE 

-1-

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Classification: OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE 

REGULATION 28 REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS 

Brief Summary 

Michelle Roach was a 32 year old woman who had given birth to her first child on 
the 17th December 2013.  She had a past medical history which included treatment 
for asthma and hypertension.   

She attended her GP on the 15th January 2014 after suffering a fainting episode 3 
days earlier.  Her hypertension medication was adjusted and she was seen again 
two weeks later – on 29th January 2014. 

At this appointment, she reported a further collapse.  Her heart rate was very high.  
The question of whether Michelle was short of breath at this appointment was a 
matter  of  factual  dispute  between  the  witnesses.    I  made  a  finding  of  fact  that 
Michelle  was  likely  to  have  been  short  of  breath  or  at  the  very  least  to  have 
reported being short of breath earlier that day.   

During  a  telephone  appointment  on  30th  January  2014,  Michelle’s  husband 
reported that she was too weak to attend an appointment.  The GP’s advice was 
for Michelle to attend 4 days later.  A further telephone call was made to the GP 
later that day, which resulted in a home visit and subsequent admission to hospital 
– on the evening on the 30th January 2014.  

Despite being admitted as a “?PE” patient, there was inadequate senior review at 
the hospital resulting in a delay in the administration of anticoagulants.  Michelle 
died in the early hours of 31st January 2014.   

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 could occur unless this 
action is taken.  In the circumstances it is my statutory duty to report to you. 

The MATTERS OF CONCERN are as follows:  

In relation to GP Management 

(1) I  believe 
knowledge 
thromboembolism. 

in 

  should  consider  reviewing  and  updating  her 
the  signs  and  symptoms  of  venous 

to 

relation 

(2) I believe 

 should review her record-keeping practices. 

(3) The GP  practice  should review  their system for investigating  unexpected 
deaths in order  to learn from them and  improve clinical management.   It 
 clinical knowledge in this area 
should also audit and review 

Classification: OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE 

-2-

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Classification: OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE 

REGULATION 28 REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS 

and her record keeping.   

Hospital Management  

(1) I  consider  that  the  trust  should  review  its  level  of  cover  by  medical 
registrars  at  night.    Financial  constraints  and  limits  on  the  numbers  of 
medical registrars available to the trust are frequently matters determined 
outside  of  the  trust’s  immediate  control,  and,  as  such,  these  matters  may 
need to be raised outside the trust.     

6. 

ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN 

In my opinion urgent action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe 
your organisation has 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 23rd January 2018. 

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 Michelle’s family. 

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. 

28th November 2018  
Mrs Heidi J Connor 
Senior Coroner for Berkshire 

Classification: OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE 

-3-

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