Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2019

Elsa Reid

Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, reference 2019-0139, written 2 Apr 2019. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.

Date of report2 Apr 2019
Reference2019-0139
DeceasedElsa Reid
CoronerZafar Siddique
Coroner areaBlack Country
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.

REGULATION 28:  REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS  

REGULATION 28 REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS 

THIS REPORT IS BEING SENT TO: 

1.  Chief Executive, New Cross Hospital NHS Trust. 
2.  Chief Executive, Wolverhampton City Council 

1 

CORONER 

I am Zafar Siddique, Senior Coroner, for the coroner area of the Black Country. 

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  28  December  2018,  I  commenced  an  investigation  into  the  death  of  Mrs  Elsa 
Reid.  The  investigation  concluded  at  the  end  of  the  inquest  on  8  March  2019.  The 
conclusion of the inquest was a short form conclusion of accidental death. 

The cause of death was:   

1a    
  b 
  c   
II   
Accident 

Pulmonary Embolism 
Left Femur Fracture-Open Reduction and Internal Fixation 
Fall 
Urinary  Sepsis,  Hypertension,  Type  2  Diabetes  Mellitus,  Cerebrovascular 

4 

CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH 

i)  Mrs  Reid  was  a  92  year  old  woman  who  was  admitted  to  New  Cross 
Hospital  on  the  30  October  2018  after  a  fall  at  home  and  sustained  a 
complex  fractured  hip.    This  was  surgically  repaired  in  Hospital  and  post 
operatively she made adequate recovery.  

ii)  Whilst in Hospital, she was given physiotherapy and encouraged to increase 
her  mobility  with  an  exercise  regime.    The  purpose  of  the  latter  treatment 
was  designed  to  reduce  risks  associated  with  immobility  including  the 
development of a pulmonary embolism. 

iii)  She  was  later  discharged  on  the  30  November  2018  to  Eversleigh  Care 
Home which acts as step-down temporary facility to allow rehabilitation.   

iv)  There  was  some  conflicting  information  provided  upon  discharge  on 
whether she should be hoisted and allowed to sit in a chair and frequency of 
mobility exercises.  Specifically, the occupational therapist sent an email to 
the  Consultant  in  charge  on  the  11  December  (some  12  days  after 
discharge)  to  clarify  the  conflicting  information  regarding  weight  bearing  or 
non-weight bearing and whether the patient needs hoisting.  The consultant 

1 

[IL1: PROTECT] 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 responded by stating that she shouldn’t be hoisted.  

v)  On the 19 December her condition declined rapidly and she was re-admitted 

to the same hospital.  

vi)  Sadly she died after developing a pulmonary embolism on the 20 December 

2018.  

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.  –  

1.  Evidence emerged during the inquest that there was inadequate communication 
between the Hospital and occupational therapist to resolve the issue in a timely 
manner  which 
regime  being 
implemented.   

in  a  minimal  exercise/mobility 

resulted 

2.  Although it is recognised some bed bound exercises were completed there was 
insufficient urgency amongst those professionals involved to resolve the matter 
as quickly as possible and thereby reduce the risks of complications, including 
pulmonary embolism from developing. 

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.  

1.  The Hospital Trust in conjunction with Wolverhampton City Council may wish to 
consider urgently reviewing the protocols in place during discharge of patients to 
step-down  care.    In  particular,  the  information  provided  during  the  discharge 
process and contacting the lead Consultant where clarity is needed.  

7 

YOUR RESPONSE 

You are under a duty to respond to this report within 56 days of the date of this report, 
namely by 27 May 2019. 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; 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. 

2 

[IL1: PROTECT] 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 9 

 2 April 2019                                                

Mr Zafar Siddique
Senior Coroner 
Black Country Area 

3 

[IL1: PROTECT]

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