Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2020

Peter Howarth

Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, reference 2020-0171, written 8 Sep 2020. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.

Date of report8 Sep 2020
Reference2020-0171
DeceasedPeter Howarth
CoronerChris Morris
Coroner areaGreater Manchester South
CategoryCare Home Health related deaths · Hospital 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: Mr_ 
Officer, Borough Care, 9 Acom Business Park,  Heaton Lane,  Stockport 
SK41AS 

, Chief Executive 

1 

CORONER 

I am Chris Morris, Area Coroner for 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. 
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2009/25/schedule/5/paragraph/7 
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2013/1629/part/7/made 

3 

INVESTIGATION and INQUEST 

-....._ 

On 22nd October 2019, I opened an inquest into the death of Peter 
William Howarth who died at Stepping Hill Hospital, Stockport on 10th 
October 2019 aged 83 years. The investigation concluded with the 
inquest which I heard on 7th July 2020. 

The court heard evidence that Mr Howarth died as a consequence of:-

1 a) Cardiac failure; 

b) Cerebrovascular disease; 

II Dementia, frequent falls, rib fractures, lfractured neck of femur 
(operated). 

I 

The inquest concluded with a narrative conclusion to the effect that Mr 
Howarth died as a consequence of natural causes contributed to 
by consequences of injuries sustained in a number of falls. 

11 

4  CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH 

I 
I 

I 

! 

Mr Howarth, who had a complex medical history, was admitted to 
hospital on 9th  October 2019 having sustained injuries in a fall at 
Brynhaven Rest Home in Stockport. 

Whilst in hospital, Mr Howarth had anotherjfall, as a consequence of 
which he suffered a· fractured  neck of femur which required surgery. 

IMr Howarth died in hospital as a consequence of complex underlying 

health oroblems combined with iniuries sustained in a number of falls. 

1 

 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 court heard evidence that, despite the fact Mr 

Howarth was injured in a fall at his care home which led to 
his final admission to hospital, Borough Care has not 
undertaken any investigation into the circumstances of 
that fall.  Robust investigations into falls in care and 
nursing homes are essential with a view to considering 
whether or not there is any learning to be derived from the 
incident for the benefit of other residents with a view to 
reducing the risk of death arising from falls in similar 
circumstances. 

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 3rd  November 2020. I, the coroner, may extend 
the period. 

1 

1 

1 

Your response must tbontain 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 

1have sent a copy of ~Y report to the Chief Coroner and to Mrs -
-
as the family•s legal representative, in addition to Ms -
Browne Jacobson LLP who acted on behalf of Stockport NHS 
Foundation Trust. I am also under a duty to send the Chief Coroner a 
copy of your response. 

of 

The report will be copied to the Care Quality Commission and Stockport 
Metropolitan BorougH Council, who may find  it useful or of interest. 

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 

.  2 

 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 

s 

HM Area Coroner 
08.09.2020 

- ---= 

._  --

-----

-

ll 

ll 

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 Borough Care (PDF)
Mr C Morris 
HM Coroners Office 
1 Mount Tabor St. 
Stockport 
SK1 3AG 

Date: 29th September 2020 

Re: Reg 28 dated 07.09.2020 Re Peter Howarth 

Dear Mr Morris 

Thank you for your correspondence. 

We had previously received a REG 28 on 28.11.19 relating to falls and have put extra 
measures in place to review falls on a weekly/monthly basis as a result. 

Below is a time line of events: 

Death of Andrew Hogg 
Inquest of Andrew Hogg 
REG 28 received 
Manager Meeting  
Reply to Coroner 
Death of Peter Howarth 
Inquest of Peter Howarth 

06.05.19 
06.10.19 
26.11.19 
28.11.19 
02.01.20 
10.09.19 
07.07.20 

At the Manager meeting on the 28th November 2019 we discussed the new procedures for 
reviewing falls in all Borough Care homes. 

Managers must now complete a weekly falls analysis and detail all actions taken. If a resident 
has more than 2 falls in any period of 2 weeks a referral must be made to their GP or to the 
falls clinic. 

Managers must also complete a monthy review to ensure the safety of all residents and hilight 
any trends that may be contributing to the falls within the home. 

As you can see from the timeline above these extra measures were implemented after the 
inquest of Andrew Hogg. The additional measures were therfore not in place when Peter 
Howarth fell, but were in place before the inquest into the death of Peter Howarth.  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 All these measures have been discussed with CQC and our policy has been updated to reflect 
the extra analysis and actions. 

I have attached the previous correspondence with the Coroner in relation to the earlier 
REG28, re falls. I hope this meets with your approval. 

Please do not hesitate to contact me if your require any further information. 

Regards  

Head of Care

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