Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2020

Alyn Rees

Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, reference 2020-0190, written 9 Sep 2020. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.

Date of report9 Sep 2020
Reference2020-0190
DeceasedAlyn Rees
CoronerCaroline Saunders
Coroner areaGwent
CategoryEmergency Services related deaths · Wales prevention of future deaths reports (2019 onwards)
Organisation namedWelsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust
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.

egulations 28 and 29 of the Coroners (Investigations} Regulations 2013 

lEGULA1\0N 28: REPOR1TO  PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS 

REGULAT\ON 28 REPORT TO  PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS 

TH\S REPORT \S  BEING SENT TO:

\ 

1.  Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust (WAST) 

2.  Aneurin Bevan University Health Board (ABUHB) 

\ CORONER 

t am Caroline Saunders, Senior Coroner for the Area of Gwent 

CORONER1 S LEGAL POWERS 

2 

3 

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 

INVESTIGATION AND INQUEST 

On  10 December 2019 I commenced an investigation into the death of 
Alyn Lewis Rees, DOB: 3/10/1990 
The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 26/8/2020 
The conclusion of the inquest was recorded as Natural Causes 
The medical cause of death was Disseminated Lymphoma 

4 

CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH 

On 3rd  December 2019 Alyn Rees became acutely unwell and an ambulance was called' 
at 12:19 hours. This was the first of 6 calls. 

Mr Rees was experiencing breathing difficulties and  he had been informed by his GP 
at a recent attendance that he may be suffering from a pulmonary embolism although 
that diagnosis had not been formally made. 

·Mr Rees was designated an Amber 1 status by WAST 

During the final phone call Mr Rees deteriorated and went into cardiac arrest. His 
status was changed to a Red  Call. Sadly when the paramedics arrived at 14:17, he 
could not be  revived and  his death was confirmed at 14:39. 

At post mortem examination it was determined that Mr Rees died from widespread 
disseminated lymphoma. 

 5 

CORONER'S CONCERNS 

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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: -

During the-inquest I referred to a report from WAST which described the assessment 
process. I am of t~e opinion that the assessment made and the status afforded to Mr 
Rees throughout was correct and no criticism was made of this. 

'\ 

. 

However, the famHy raised concerns, with which I agreed, that 2 hours is a long time 
to wait for an _emergency ambulance. At no time were the family advised of the 
expected time:of arrival and potentially, if they had been aware of this, they may have 
contacted e.arlie,rthe local GP. 

The report did, no·~ in~icate what the expected response time for an Amber 1 call 
should be. 

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I was advised:thaf'on·this occasion there were significant delays (up to 3 hours) 
transferring pat~~~ts_ into the care of Aneurin Bevan  University Heath Board Hospitals. 
This is also of sigh1ficant concern as it prevented emergency ambulances being 
released. 

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I should emphasise that I do not consider that in this case Mr Rees'  life would have 
been saved if f.ie  t,Jad  received medical attention earlier. He was (quite unbeknownst 
to him) suffering. f rom a widespread lymphoma which presented acutely on the day 
he died. 

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6 

 7 

YOUR RESPONSE 

I 

'lou are under a duty to respond to this report within 56 days of the date of this 
report. \, the Coroner, may extend this period 

Your response must contain details of action taken or proposed to be taken, setting 
out the timetab\e for action. Otherwise you must explain why no action is necessary 

\  8 

COPIES AND PUBLICATION 

\ have sent a copy of my report to the Chief Coroner and the following Interested 
Person (s) 

•  The family of Mr Alyn Rees 

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 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 

DATE 9/9/2020 

Signed

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