Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2019

Emily Sims

Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, reference 2019-0336, written 9 Oct 2019. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.

Date of report9 Oct 2019
Reference2019-0336
DeceasedEmily Sims
CoronerGuy Davies
Coroner areaCornwall and the Isles of Scilly
CategoryCare Home Health related deaths
Sourcejudiciary.uk record · original PDF
Responses published1

The report

Text extracted from the PDF text layer. Reproduced verbatim, including the scan's own layout.

Information Classification: CONTROLLED 

REGULATION 28:  REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS 

IN THE TRURO CORONERS COURT 

IN THE MATTER OF THE INQUEST TOUCHING THE DEATH OF EMILY DAISY SIMS 

REGULATION 28 REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS 

THIS REPORT IS BEING SENT TO: 

, Registered Manager, Antron Manor Care Home 

1 

CORONER 

I am Guy Davies, Her Majesty’s Assistant Coroner for Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly. 

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 16th November 2017 I commenced an investigation into the death of EMILY 
DAISY SIMS. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 27th 
September 2019. The conclusion of the inquest was as follows: 

The four questions - who, when, where and how – can (therefore) were answered 
as follows;- 

Emily Daisy SIMS died on 1st November 2017 at Royal Cornwall Hospital Truro 
from trauma sustained as a consequence of the manner in which she was moved 
and manhandled out of bed, when in a frail condition. 

My conclusion as to the death was as follows;-  

Mrs Emily Sims died from a recognised complication of spiral fractures to her 
thighs sustained in an incident on Friday 27th October 2017 in which Mrs Sims was 
held by the ankles and swung out of bed by the night carer, applying torsion to the 
legs which caused the bilateral spiral femoral fractures.  Whilst general frailty of 
health were likely to be co-factors, it is clear that the injury from the incident was 
the significant contributory factor which led to her death.  The incident was 
contributed to by neglect, namely the manner in which she was moved and 
manhandled out of bed, when in a frail condition, by the night carer, which was 
more than likely to cause injury. 

1 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Information Classification: CONTROLLED 

The medical cause of death was established on the evidence as follows;- 

1a Perforated duodenal ulcer in a frail, elderly female hospitalised with bilateral 
femoral fractures. 

4 

CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH 

At the time of her death 101-year-old Mrs Sims was a resident of the Antron 
Manor Care Home.  There were no independent witnesses to the incident in which 
Mrs Sims sustained her injuries, bilateral spiral fractures to both femurs.  Mrs Sims 
account (given to police before her death) was that she had been held by the 
ankles and swung out of bed by the healthcare worker. This caused her immediate 
and intense pain.  The medical evidence established that this action would have 
the effect of applying torsion to the legs which caused the bilateral spiral femoral 
fractures.  The stress of the fractures caused the ulcer which in turn caused the 
death of Mrs Sims. 

Evidence established that the night carer was or ought to have been aware of the 
risk of injury from moving and handling an elderly resident such as Mrs Sims in this 
manner. 

A review of the night carer’s training record by the police revealed that the night 
carer had not undertaken moving and handling training since 2012. 

Care home staff gave evidence that they had not received training on the use 
equipment.  Further that they had advised care home managers that Mrs Sims 
non-adjustable bed was, in their view, inappropriate for a resident in her frail 
condition. 

A review of Mrs Sims care plan by an occupational therapist revealed the 
following: 

1)  No new care plan had been completed to reflect Emily’s changing needs. 
2)  There was no long-term plan to manage Emily’s changing needs 
3)  There was no documentation of objectives in the care plan 
4)  Entries by staff on the care plan do not appear to have resulted in any 

changes to reflect Mrs Sims’ changing needs and risks. 

5)  Mobilising equipment was incorrectly assembled. 
6)  Mrs Sims bed was non-adjustable and consideration should have been 
given to using an adjustable bed to diminish risks presented by the non-
adjustable bed. 

The court heard evidence from a CQC report of January 2019 that there remained 
an issue of staff updating care plans with changing needs. 

2 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Information Classification: CONTROLLED 

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)  The lack of updating of care plans to reflect changing needs and how 

to manage changing needs 

2)  The lack of updating of care plans to include reference to multi-

disciplinary meetings or care needs meetings and decisions taken to 
manage changing needs 

3)  The lack of the provision of appropriate equipment such as adjustable 

beds to address changing needs 

4)  The lack of the provision, or access to, specialist advice from 

occupational therapists and physiotherapists to assist with measures 
to address changing needs 

5)  The lack of appropriate training regarding the use of equipment and 

moving and handling 

6 

ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN 

In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe you 
and your organisation have the power to take such action.  

I would be pleased to hear from you in relation to these concerns. 

7 

YOUR RESPONSE 

You are under a duty to respond to this report within 56 days of the date of this 
report, namely by 9th December 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: 

, the niece of Mrs Sims. 

I am also under a duty to send the Chief Coroner a copy of your response.  

3 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Information Classification: CONTROLLED 

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 

9th October 2019                                            Guy Davies, HM Assistant Coroner 

4

Responses

1 response published against this report on judiciary.uk. A response is a body's written reply to the coroner's concerns; publication is at the discretion of the Chief Coroner's office, so an absent response does not mean nobody replied.

Response from Antron Manor Care Home (PDF)
ANTRON MANOR CARE HOME

Antron Hill
Mabe Burnthouse
Penryn
TR1 9HH
Tel: 01326 367570

Mr R Guy Davies

25" November 2019

Dear Mr R Guy Davies

| acknowledge receipt of your Regulation 28 Report in the case of Emily Daisy Sims.

| respond to your numbered concerns as follows :-

Lack of updating of care plans to reflect changing needs and how to manage changing needs.
As | understand care plans in place at the time of the incident were not updated or reviewed
appropriately. Our current system consists of monthly review of care plans and amendments
are made to reflect care needs and any changes necessary, permanent or temporary.

Lack of updating of care plans to include reference to multi-disciplinary meetings or care
needs meetings and decisions taken to manage changing needs.

The previous template used for care planning did not lend itself to recording of multi-
disciplinary meetings with professionals and actions required to allow for changes to be
recorded in the care plan. A new care plan template has been introduced to include a more
robust system for recording outcomes of meetings with professionals, this information is then
reviewed and the care plan is amended and updated according to changes in need. During
our last inspection in November 2018, we had some old format care plans that were in the
process of being changed over, all care plans have now been changed over to the new format
with regular reviewing in place.

Lack of provision of appropriate equipment such as adjustable beds to address changing
needas

Any requirement for equipment is addressed through assessment by occupational therapists/
physiotherapists, we have contact with the community rehabilitation team who all support and
facilitate any provision for suitable equipment that is required to support individuals.
Equipment is delivered to the home by Cornwall Council Loans Department. We currently
have 2 individuals with hospital beds, we also have other equipment to support individuals
needs including perch stools, pressure cushions, cot sides, grab rails and walking aids.

Lack of provision or access to specialist advice from occupational therapists and physio
therapists to assist with measures to address changing needs.

The home has good working relationships with the community rehab Team and Occupational
Therapist. We access referrals for specialist advice through the G.P practice and are very well
supported by the district nursing team.

Antron Manor Care Limited - Company Number: 10516614 Directors :—
Debbie Blight, Allan Blight and Rebecca Wood.

ANTRON MANOR CARE HOME
Antron Hill
Mabe Burnthouse
Penryn
TR1 9HH
Tel: 01326 367570

5. The Lack of appropriate training regarding use of equiprnent and moving and handling
At the time of the incident | understand there was a lack of training. Training is scheduled
regularly and monitored to ensure all staff members receive regular training. Supervision of all
staff is carried out 6 times a year, where staff have opportunity to raise any concerns and
discuss any additional training to support them. Our moving and handling training is carried
out annually and all members of staff must attend. Our new care plan includes a manual
handling assessment which provides staff with details on moving individuals safely.

Summary

We were not responsible for this service at the time of the incident. | understand changes were made
prior to our ownership. Since our ownership we have continued to implement further changes to
improve the service to ensure safety of the Residents. We continually work in partnership with
professionals to address individuals needs and have implemented a new care plan format and system
for the review and updating. Staff continue to receive regular training and supervision to ensure they
are competent in their roles. We will continue to take every reasonable precaution to try to prevent
any future incident.

Yours sincerely,

P|

Managing Director

Antron Manor Care Limited - Company Number: 10516614 Directors :—
Debbie Blight, Allan Blight and Rebecca Wood.

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