Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2020

Reginald Collins

Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, reference 2020-0146, written 30 Jul 2020. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.

Date of report30 Jul 2020
Reference2020-0146
DeceasedReginald Collins
CoronerAlison Mutch
Coroner areaManchester South
CategoryHospital Death (Clinical Procedures and medical management) 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.

REGULATION 28:  REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS  

REGULATION 28 REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS 

THIS REPORT IS BEING SENT TO:  The Minister of State for Social 
Care, Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership 

1  CORONER 

I am Alison Mutch, Senior Coroner, for the Coroner Area of Greater 
Manchester South 

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 25th October 2019 I commenced an investigation into the death of 
Reginald Collins. The investigation concluded on the 10th July 2020 
and the conclusion was one of Accidental Death. 

The medical cause of death was 1a) Aspiration pneumonia on a 
background of immobility; 1b) Fracture neck of femur following a 
fall; and II) Ischaemic heart disease, Frailty 

4  CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH 

Reginald Collins fell and fractured his neck of femur at The Meadows 
(Saffron Ward). He was admitted to Stepping Hill Hospital on 13th 
September and on 14th September he was operated on. He was 
medically optimised by 19th September 2019. Discharge was delayed 
due to a suitable placement not being available due to his complex 
needs. He developed aspiration pneumonia and deteriorated and died 
at Stepping Hill Hospital on 22nd October 2019. 

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 inquest heard that Mr Collins could have been discharged 

from 19th September when he was medically optimised. However 
he remained in an acute hospital setting until his death on 22nd 

1 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 October because of the challenges of finding a suitable EMI 
placement for him. 

2.  The inquest heard that an EMI placement would have met his 

needs in a way that an acute hospital setting could not. 

3.  The inquest was told that the delay was due in large part to a 
lack of suitable complex EMI beds both locally and nationally. 

4.  The delay in his discharge via Adult Social Care meant that an 

acute hospital bed was not available to the Trust.  

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.  

7  YOUR RESPONSE 

You are under a duty to respond to this report within 56 days of the 
date of this report, namely by 24th September 2020. 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, namely Mrs 
deceased, who may find it useful or of interest. 

 wife of the 

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 

Alison Mutch OBE 
HM Senior Coroner 
30.07.2020 

2 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 3

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 Greater Manchester Combined Authority (PDF)
Greater Manchester  Health and Social Care Partnership 
BY EMAIL 

T: 

E: 

@nhs.net    

Date: 4th November 2020 
Ref: 

To: Alison  Mutch OBE 
HM Senior  Coroner 
HM Coroner’s  Office, 1 Mount Tabor Street 
Stockport, SK1 3AG 

Dear Ms Mutch,  

Re:  Regulation  28  Report  to  Prevent  Future  Deaths  –  Reginald  Collins, date of 
death 22nd October 2019  

Thank  you  for  your  Regulation  28  Report  concerning the death of Mr Collins on 22nd 
October  2019.  Firstly,  I  would  like  to  express  my  deep  condolences  to  Mr  Collin’s 
family.  

The  regulation  28  report  concludes  Mr  Collin’s  death  was  a  result  of  1a)  Aspiration 
pneumonia  on  a  background  of  immobility;  1b)  Fracture  neck  of  femur  following  a 
fall; and II) Ischaemic heart disease,  Frailty 

Following  the  inquest  you  raised  concerns  in  your  Regulation  28  Report  to  NHS 
England;  that   

1.  The  inquest  heard  that  Mr Collins could have been discharged on 19th September 
when  he  was  medically  optimised.  However  he  remained  in  an  acute  hospital 
setting  until  his  death  on  22nd  October  because  of  the  challenges  of  finding  a 
suitable  EMI placement  for him.  

2.  The  inquest heard that an EMI placement would have met his needs in a way that 

an acute hospital  setting could not.  

3.  The  inquest  was  told  that  the  delay  was  due  in  large  part  to  a  lack  of  suitable 

complex EMI beds both locally and nationally  .  

4.  The  delay  in  his discharge via Adult Social Care meant that an acute hospital bed 

was not available  to the Trust. 

From  the  discussion  with  Stockport    Council,  the  Local  Authority  Director  of  Adult 
Services  (DASS)  and  commissioners,  it  appears  that  the Local Authority has not had 
the  opportunity  to  respond  to  the  coroner  on  this  specific  event  and  thus  not  had 

 
 
 
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 sight  of  all  the  relevant  information.  The  Local  Authority  did have  potential  provision 
and  it  appears did actually offer this.  Can we suggest that contact is made with them 
for  further  information  and  clarification  on  these  points.  The  DASS  is  more  than 
happy to liaise  accordingly (

@stockport.gov.uk).   

As  some  additional  information,  as  part  of  the  work  of  the Greater Manchester Adult 
Social  Care  Transformation  Programme  led  by  the  GMHSCP,  there  is  a  significant 
amount  of  work  taking  place  around  market  shaping  and  development  and  in 
particular  around  new  and  improved  models  of  care  and  support  for  people  with 
complex  needs.  We  recognise  this  is  an  area  which  needs  improving  nationally.  We 
are  also  working  closely  across  the  system  on   hospital  discharge  and  now  have  a 
GM Discharge  Pathway and good Discharge  to Assess  (D2A) system in place. 

The  huge  pressures  on  Trusts  is  fully  acknowledged  and  we  continue to support and 
drive  the  ‘Home  First’  approach  as  evidenced  in  the  majority  of  work  including  our 
Living Well  at Home Programme here in GM. 

I  hope  this  information  is  to  your  satisfaction  and  please  do  not  hesitate  to  contact 
me if you need  any further information. 

Thank you for bringing  these important  patient  safety issues  to my attention  and 
please  do not hesitate  to contact me should  you need any further information. 

Yours sincerely 

Dr 
Chair of GM Medical Executive, GM HSCP

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