Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2019

Robert Lowe

Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, reference 2019-0319, written 20 Sep 2019. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.

Date of report20 Sep 2019
Reference2019-0319
DeceasedRobert Lowe
CoronerJeremy Chipperfield
Coroner areaDurham and Darlington
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)

NOTE: This from is to be used after an inquest.
REGULATION 28 REPORT TO PREVENT DEATHS

THIS REPORT IS BEING SENT TO:

1

, Registered Manager, Chilton Care Centre

1 CORONER

I am Jeremy Chipperfield, Senior Coroner of Durham and Darlington

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 Sixteenth May 2019 I commenced an investigation into the death of Robert Edward LOWE
aged 95. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on twelfth September 2019. The
conclusion of the inquest was:

I a Subdural Haemorrhage

I b

I c

II Dementia, Hypertension
4 CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH
Between 0159 and 0400hrs on 13th May 2019, the deceased suffered an unwitnessed fall to the
floor of his bedroom at Chiltern Care Centre.

5 CORONER’S CONCERNS

The MATTERS OF CONCERN are as follows: (brief summary of matters of concern)

A) Circumstances at Chilton Care Centre are such that the placing of pressure mats (intended to
detect residents leaving their beds unaided) is such that residents may bypass those mats;
B) The use and operation of audible signals is such that important audible alarms may not come to

the attention of staff.

Mr LOWE left his bed and fell unwitnessed and then lay undetected by his bed for up to two hours until a
scheduled welfare check. The pressure mat may not have been triggered. The basis for my concern is as
follows:

(A)

, Chilton Home Manager said that when she investigated this matter (by which time the

mat had been removed) “…there could have been a possibility that Mr LOWE, may have bypassed
the mat when getting out at the top of his bed…”(witness statement dated 11th August 2019); and

(B)

In the same statement,
they found Mr Lowe on the floor. Three out of 4 staff on duty and only one believes that the mat

stated: “Then… when staff carried out another welfare check,

 had not activated and the other 3 could not remember if the sensor mat was making a sound or
not, as the emergency buzzer was pressed and other buzzers around the home were also going at
the same time, and their priority was Mr Lowe…”

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 07 November 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

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

Jeremy CHIPPERFIELD
Senior Coroner for
County Durham and Darlington
Dated: 20 September 2019

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