Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2020

Darrell Sharples

Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, reference 2020-0219, written 28 Oct 2020. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.

Date of report28 Oct 2020
Reference2020-0219
DeceasedDarrell Sharples
CoronerAndrew Cox
Coroner areaCornwall and the Isles of Scilly
CategorySuicide (from 2015) · Mental Health related deaths
Organisation namedCornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Sourcejudiciary.uk record · original PDF
Responses published3

The report

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

Information Classification: CONTROLLED 
Information Classification: CONTROLLED 

REGULATION 28 REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS 

THIS REPORT IS BEING SENT TO: 

1.  Mr 
CORONER 

1 

, Assistant Chief Constable, Devon & Cornwall Constabulary 

I am Andrew Cox, the Acting Senior Coroner for the coroner area of Cornwall and 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 12 October 2020, I concluded an inquest into the death of Darrell Sharples who died 
on 21 July 2018, then aged 49.    
 . 
The medical cause of death was recorded as: 
1a) Asphyxia; 
1b) Hanging 
1c) 
II) 

I recorded a Conclusion of Suicide. 

4 

CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH 
The circumstances leading up to Mr Sharples death are set out in the attached summing 
up and judgment.  

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.   

May I please direct your attention to pages 21-23 of the attached summing up. 

ViST forms.  
These generate a lot of data about potentially vulnerable individuals. I consider deaths 
may be prevented in the future where that data could be appropriately shared with 
partner agencies. I have in mind, in particular, Cornwall Partnership Foundation Trust 
and Kernow Clinical Commissioning Group (on behalf of GPs.) 

I recognise there is a need to limit or prioritise the data shared so that it is manageable 
and targeted to the most vulnerable and/or those at greatest risk of harm or self-harm. 

I further recognise that there may well be legitimate concerns about data protection. I 
was told this may be overcome where a particular individual consents to the sharing of 
data. Where someone refuses to consent, however, I accept sharing may be more 
problematic and legal advice may be required.  

1 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Information Classification: CONTROLLED 
Information Classification: CONTROLLED 

Custody Access to CJLDT Assessments and Consideration of Ramifications of 
Imposing Bail Conditions on Vulnerable Individuals. 

At his assessment by CJLDT in May 2018, it had been recognised that 
was a strong protective factor keeping Darrell from harming himself. 

After his release from custody in July 2018, a bail condition was (correctly) imposed that 
he was not to contact his wife. This had the unintended consequence of removing that 
strong protective factor.  

In the event those in custody had known of the assessment in the CJLDT records, that 
may have had an influence on assessing Darrell’s risk to himself at the point of release. 
It may have led to a request to an HCP or CPFT to re-assess Darrell’s risk to himself. 

It may be that the standard questions completed by custody sergeants could be 
amended to require an Officer to review or have reviewed any assessment in CJLDT 
prior to the imposition of a bail condition on a vulnerable individual and his release from 
custody. 

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 23/12/20. 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 [
interest being Dr 
Deputy Director of Primary Care in KCCG. While it is a matter for you, it may be that you 
will feel there would be some value in exploring these issues on a multi-agency basis. 

]. I am also sharing this letter with those who I think may have an 

, Joint Interim Medical Director at CPFT and Ms 

, 

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 

[DATE]                                              [SIGNED BY CORONER] 

28/10/20 

2 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Information Classification: CONTROLLED 

REGULATION 28 REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS 

THIS REPORT IS BEING SENT TO: 

1.  Dr 

, Interim Joint Medical Director, Cornwall Partnership 

Foundation Trust 

1 

CORONER 

I am Andrew Cox, the Acting Senior Coroner for the coroner area of Cornwall and 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 12 October 2020, I concluded an inquest into the death of Darrell Sharples who died 
on 21 July 2018, then aged 49.    
 . 
The medical cause of death was recorded as: 
1a) Asphyxia; 
1b) Hanging 
1c) 
II) 

I recorded a Conclusion of Suicide. 

4 

CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH 
The circumstances leading up to Mr Sharples death are set out in the attached summing 
up and judgment.  

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.   

At inquest, I heard evidence from a Mr 
telephone triage assessment of Mr Sharples. I have set out where I felt that assessment 
was inadequately conducted in the attached judgment. 

 who, on behalf of CPFT, conducted a 

Of particular concern was the fact that Mr 
 was, at best, vague about whether he 
was familiar with the Trust’s Operational Policy to which, at Appendix 1, were attached 
the relevant eligibility criterea. Of further concern was that he was not aware of the 
Triage guidance the Trust had produced. 

I made clear my view that any clinician performing that role had to be familiar with both 
documents. 

I have been told that the Trust has moved to a ‘needs-based’ evaluation system and that 
fresh guidance is being produced to assist those performing triage assessments. 

You may feel that the Trust needs to be confident that all those performing triage 
assessments in the future will be familiar with the revised triage guidance and 
Operational policy and has a robust system in place to ensure this is the case. 

1 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Information Classification: CONTROLLED 

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 23/12/20. 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 [

].  

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 

[DATE]                                              [SIGNED BY CORONER] 

28/10/20 

2

Responses

3 responses 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 And Update From Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (PDF)
Mr Andrew J Cox 
Senior Coroner 
Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Coroners’ Area 

Dr 

Interim Medical Director 
Head Office 
Beacon Technology Park 
Dunmere Road 
BODMIN 
PL31 2QN 

14 December 2021 

Dear Mr Cox 

Re:   Inquest into the death of Darrell Francis SHARPLES, concluded 12/10/2020 

Regulation 28 Report to Prevent Future Deaths - update 

With regard to the concerns you raised following the inquest identified above, and further to the 
my response of 16/02/2021, and the joint response with partner agencies of the 17/02/2021, I 
write to provide an update of the actions taken by Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust 
(the Trust) to date.   

The Trust’s Initial Response Service has now been launched.  This service provides a single 
point of access for people presenting in mental distress with the aim of quickly identifying an 
individual’s  needs  and  ensuring  they  are  referred  to  the  most  appropriate  service.    Since  its 
launch in May 2020 this service has shown continued growth, and, as of November, handles an 
average of 66 calls per a day (please see appendix A for further detail). 

This has been further supported by the development of a standardised triage tool to be used by 
adult mental health services throughout the Trust, and is based on the UK Mental Health Triage 
Scale.  A training package to support those clinicians undertaking triage assessment is currently 
being developed by the Community Mental Health Team (CMHT) Single Point of Access Team 
Manager, and this is further enhanced by clear operational policies, guidance and assessment 
tools ensuring that access to services is consistent throughout the county. 

As part of the Trust’s joint response with Devon and Cornwall Police and NHS Kernow, I advised 
that  the  Trust  would  build  on  the  provision  of  the  Mental  Health  Connect  service  with  the 
development  of  the  ‘Professionals  Helpline’.    This  commenced  on  01/11/2021  as  a  24/7 
telephone-based  service  to  provide  access  to  health  information  and  advice  to  professionals 
involved in an individual’s care, be that health partners, social care or the Police.  The line dealt 
with over 90 calls in the first month (please see appendix A for further details) 

Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is committed to improving the health  
and wellbeing of patients, carers, staff, and visitors. We have a Smokefree Policy.  
This means smoking is not allowed on Trust premises. This includes our buildings,  
grounds and vehicles. If you smoke and want to stop, please ask any member  
of staff for free support. 

We are a research active trust, to get involved in a research project, please email  
cpn-tr.CFTresearch@nhs.net 

For information on mental health medication visit choiceandmedication.org/cornwall 

Head Office: Carew House, Beacon Technology Park, Dunmere Road, Bodmin, PL31 2QN 
Tel: 01208 834600 Email: cpn-tr.enquiries@nhs.net

www.cornwallft.nhs.uk 

 
 
 
 
                               
 
 As part of our commitment to improved joint working with the police you will be aware that 

, former Police Superintendent, was appointed to the newly created role of Mental Health 
Liaison Officer (MHLO) within the Trust at the time of the Inquest.  This substantive role has now 
been fully embedded within the Trust’s mental health services and 
 shares considerable 
knowledge and expertise across both health and Police services.  The role primarily focusses 
on  information  sharing,  with  access  granted  to  both  the  Trust’s  and  the  Police’s  computer 
systems,  enabling  ‘live’  information  to  be  shared  in  a  timely  manner  to  improve  information 
sharing and joined up working to ensure provision of an efficient and effective service to persons 
presenting with a mental health disorder in the criminal justice setting. 

This  work  has  developed  organically,  with  the  MHLO  identifying  opportunities  for  further 
initiatives such as a pilot in the Penwith area whereby a police member of staff attends the CMHT 
weekly multi-disciplinary meeting, and this is reciprocated by a member of the CMHT attending 
the fortnightly Police Tactical Meeting, to share intelligence regarding persons of concern.  This 
may be as simple as confirming address details, through to dealing with safeguarding concerns 
before they become issues, e.g. checking allegations of ‘Cuckooing’.  Additionally, this approach 
has  also  served  to  build  professional  relationships  between  these  partner  agencies.    If 
successful, this pilot will be rolled out throughout the county. 

Further, the ‘136 Project’ is also currently being developed by the MHLO, with a view to providing 
training to 30 Police Officers to become Mental Health Tactical Advisors within the force who in 
turn  will  support  their  colleagues  with  a  greater  understanding  of  the  Trust’s  mental  health 
services, Mental Health Act legislation, and Police powers under this Act. 

An additional post of Neighbourhood Beat Manager for Mental Health has also been established, 
where  a  serving  police  officer,  jointly  funded  by  the  Trust  and  Police  Crime  Commissioner, 
further strengthens information sharing between agencies and is currently developing a ‘Police 
Passport’  to  support  a  more  holistic  Police  response  to  incident  management  involving 
individuals in mental health crisis.  This new initiative is being trialled with the Trust’s Community 
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) and focuses on creating a crisis plan with 
a young person, and their family and/or carers, which is then shared with the Police to provide 
advice and guidance on how best to support the young person should they come into contact 
with the police, e.g. a plan may contain details like “I am autistic, please do not handcuff me”.  
Once tested, this will be expanded to incorporate adult mental health services and there is a 
local desire to extend the work of the National Record Locator – a national project led by NHS 
Digital Services which enables an authorised clinician, care worker and/or administrator, in any 
health or care setting, to access an index of patient information to support that patient’s direct 
care – to be inclusive of the Police service. 

I  hope  this  update  provides  some  assurance  of  the  Trust’s  ongoing  dedication  to  making 
improvements within its services and working with partner agencies to develop an effective and 
proportionate response to those individuals who may find themselves in need of support due to 
their mental health illness. 

Page 2 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 If you require any further information, or would like to discuss any of these points further, please 
do let me know. 

Yours sincerely 

Dr 
Interim Medical Director 

Page 3 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 MH Connect  and Professional’s Line data 

Appendix A 

Mental Health Connect Line 
Since launch in May 2020, calls to the MH Connect 24/7 helpline have been growing. This 
month, to 21st November excluding professional’s line calls, the line is receiving an average of 
66 calls per day. This represents an increase of +164% vs. the same period last year and 
+20% vs. last month.  

MH Connect monthly call volume and 
average calls per day
1st May 2020 to 21st November 2021

61 59 60

67 65

66

55

48 51

39

34

28 26 27

19 19 20 22 23

80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0

2500

2000

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1000

500

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avg/day

Number Calls

Figure 1 – Monthly calls to MH Connect and average calls per day, Netcall (01/05/2020 to 21/11/2021) 

Professional’s Line 
Since launch on 1st November, the professional’s line has received 90 calls, an average of 4 
per day (to 23rd November 2021).  

Professional's line call volume 
1st to 23rd November 2021

11

9

6

5

5

4

3

3

4

2

2

3

2

2

1

5

5

4

4

4

3

2

1

12

10

8

6

4

2

0

Figure 2 – MH Connect professional’s line call volume, Netcall (1 – 23/11/2021) 

Page 4
Response from Devon and Cornwall Police and Kernow NHS Clinical Commissioning Group Redacted. (PDF)
By Cornwall Partnership Kernow
a sallhaline NHS Foundation Trust CJinical Commissioning Group

Your ref. |

Mr A Cox
Senior Coroner
Cornwall Coroners' Service
The New Lodge
Newquay Road
Penmount
Truro
TR4 9AA
17'" February 2021

BY EMAIL ONLY TO:

Dear Mr Cox

INQUEST INTO THE DEATH OF DARRELL FRANCIS SHARPLES: REPORT UNDER
REGULATION 28 OF THE CORONERS (INVESTIGATIONS) REGULATIONS 2013

We are writing in relation to the above inquest, and in the particular the above-mentioned
report of 28 October 2020 (‘the Regulation 28 report”) that we have received from yourself.

Considering the nature of the issues that you have raised within the Regulation 28 report,
and giving particular recognition to the fact that your concerns are in part related to the
sharing of information, it has been decided between us that a joint response to the report
would be appropriate.

In the first instance, we want to take this opportunity to express our collective condolences
to the family and friends of Darrell, and to anyone else who may be affected by his loss.

Secondly, we thank you for forwarding us a copy of the Regulation 28 report that was
made following the inquest into Darrell’s death. We always welcome opportunities to
consider whether there is potential for our organisations to improve the service that they
provide to the public.

Thirdly, we are grateful for the additional time that you have allowed outside of the
statutory time period for our response.

We have now had the opportunity to consider the issues that you have raised within the
Regulation 28 report. Please therefore treat this correspondence as our formal response to
the same.

The majority of this response will serve as an overview of the various developments that
have taken place between and on behalf of the organisations that we represent since the
inquest.

Since the conclusion of the inquest, Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust has
recruited former Police Superintendent as Mental Health Liaison Officer to
provide advice, guidance and direction to mental health and community staff, police
officers and police staff on best practice in providing a service to persons suffering with a
mental health disorder in a criminal justice setting; in order to meet their individual needs in
line with Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust polices and up to date legislation.
The Mental Health Liaison Officer provides a single point of contact for the police as
mental health advisor / specialist trainer and promotes understanding and good practice
relating to mental health within criminal justice and in addition will help implement and
embed the Criminal Justice Liaison Service within Devon and Cornwall Police. This is a
newly-created role which in itself represents a significant step forward in terms of creating
potential for meaningful collaboration on the issues of concern that you have raised.

In addition, in January 2021 representatives from NHS Kernow, Cornwall Partnership NHS
Foundation Trust and Devon and Cornwall Police met to discuss information sharing
arrangements and_to learn from the case. Representatives included Detective
Superintendent I, Head of the Public Protection Unit, and Superintendent
Head of Criminal Justice, from Devon and Cornwall Police: Deputy Director
of Primary Care and , Deputy Director of Quality trom NHS Kernow and
, Mental Health Liaison Officer from Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.
The learning identified at the inquest was considered and discussed with a focus around
information sharing. The following actions were agreed and are now in the process of
being implemented:

1. A review in relation to how police access medical information out of hours regardin
persons in custody at risk. This review is currently underway. Dr ;
Consultant Clinical Psychologist, outlined in his evidence at the inquest that
Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust has introduced a 24/7 mental health
telephone support line for anyone worried about their own or someone else’s
mental health. A project is underway to develop this further to provide a
professionals helpline, which will support information sharing and increase
professional access to mental health services, which we hope will be implemented
in April 2021. Once implemented, this will provide another option for people working
in police custody to seek guidance in relation to mental health services that are
available.

2. Inspector FY Force Mental Health Lead for Devon and Cornwall
Police, and YY Mental Health Liaison Officer, will now be able to discuss and

Page 2

consider solutions regarding information sharing between the police and mental
health services.

3, A meeting was arranged between Devon and Cornwall Police and NHS Kernow to
discuss the process for adult GP referrals from the police Central Safeguarding
Team (“CST”) and closing the feedback loop with consideration for education of all
GP’s including working with GP lead for suicide prevention and dissemination via
other forums.

Of particular note is that the meeting referenced in the latter point above has now taken
place.

At this meeting it was discussed and agreed that the sending of all ViSTs to GPs would
overwhelm GPs, and create the risk of the higher risk referrals being overlooked as a
result of the volume. We recognised that more work could be done in the CST to improve
organisational recognition of risk over time; in particular, where risk in relation to a
particular individual is escalating. This work has been progressing since 2020 and in
November 2020, Detective Inspector (“DI”) J from the CST launched a trigger
process to identify escalating risk in adults (including following the submission of a certain
number of ViSTs). Part of this process is to include a more focused letter to GPs to advise
them of and alert them to the potential escalating risk. The CST already shares information
from ViSTs with GPs via GP letters. The trigger process is specifically for escalating risk
where for example there have been a number of ViSTs or where the CST has already
written to a GP regarding ViSTs.

A draft letter has been prepared and will now be subject to a process of consultation led by

including local GPs. D! MMM is also to produce guidance notes to
accompany the letter, in addition to drafting an article for publication in the GP Bulletin to
increase awareness. The GP Bulletin will also be shared with safeguarding leads within
GP practices. The learning points will be further raised at the Safeguarding Adult
conference.

In short, DI || and will ensure that the GP letter process, which follows the
CST trigger process, Is Improved by increasing awareness of the reasons that the letters
are sent, what good practice should be, and what the expectations are for GPs.

In summary, while further work in relation to these matters is still to be progressed, we
would like to emphasise that the work undertaken to date represents significant progress
in the various parties collaborating in response to your concerns. Accordingly, we hope
that this demonstrates that we have taken your concerns seriously.

We are again grateful for you bringing these issues to our attention, particularly as it has

provided us with an opportunity to reflect on and identify opportunities for our organisations
to further enhance the service that we provide to the public.

Page 3

Yours sincerel

Assistant Chief Constable Joint Interim Medical Director

Deputy Director of
Devon & Cornwall Police CPFT

Primary Care
KCCG

Page 4
Response from Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (PDF)
Mr Andrew J Cox 
Acting Senior Coroner 
Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Coroner’s Area 

Email: 

16th February 2021 

Dear Mr Cox 

Darrell Francis Sharples, deceased 
Prevention of Future Deaths 

Interim Joint Medical Director 
Head Office 
Carew House 
Beacon Technology Park 
Dunmere Road 

Bodmin   

PL31 2QN 

Tel: 

Email: 

As  outlined  at  the  inquest  Cornwall  Partnership  NHS  Foundation  Trust  has  introduced  a  24  hour 
response  telephone  line  and  is  in  the  process  of  developing  a  single  point  of  access  for  people 
presenting with mental distress, which we are calling an Initial Response Service. 

We have worked across the whole health system to develop the model for this service which is due to 
be  launched  in  the  coming  months.    The  service  brings  together  voluntary  and  third  sector 
organisations, the Improving Access to Psychological Therapy Service (Outlook South West) and the 
secondary care mental health services such as the Community Mental Health Teams into one place, 
for anyone wishing to refer themselves or anybody else for help. 

The aim is to provide an immediate response in a way that will enable us to identify quickly a person’s 
needs and to ensure that an introduction or referral is made to the appropriate organisation or service. 

A  Senior  Operational  Lead  has  been  appointed  to  the  Initial  Response  Service.    This  role  includes 
oversight of the Home Treatment Team; Crisis Hub and the 24 hour response telephone line, Mental 
Health Connect.  In addition, six Band 7 Clinical Leads have also been appointed (equivalent seniority 
to ward Leaders and Clinical Nurse Specialists) to provide 24 hour clinical support to the service. 

A  dedicated  Manager  for  the  Single  Point  of  Access  within  the  integrated  Community  Mental  Health 
Teams has also been appointed to manage the triage assessors across the county in addition to the 
development of processes and protocols for referral management.  Previously the assessment teams 
were managed separately by the respective community mental health team mangers.  The change in 
management structure provides additional governance and consistency to the assessment teams.   

Nurse  triage  assessors  within  the  Single  Point  of  Access  teams  are  senior  clinicians  of  Band  6 
grading.    Core  competencies  for  nurses  working  at  this  level  requires  consolidation  of  specialist 
knowledge  and  skills  in  mental  health  practice,  demonstrating  a  depth  of  knowledge,  understanding 
and competence that supports evidenced, informed, complex, autonomous and independent decision 
.  

Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is committed to improving the health and wellbeing 
of patients, carers, staff and visitors and operates a Smokefree Policy. This means smoking is 
prohibited in all Trust premises ie buildings, grounds and vehicles. If you are a smoker ask any 
member of staff for free support. 

We are a research active trust, to get involved in a research project, please email  
cpn-tr.CFTresearch@nhs.net 

For information on mental health medication visit choiceandmedication.org/cornwall 

Acting Chair: 
Head Office: Carew House, Beacon Technology Park, Dunmere Road, Bodmin, PL31 2QN 
Tel: 01208 834600 Email: cpn-tr.enquiries@nhs.net 

      Chief Executive: 

www.cornwallft.nhs.uk 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 making.  There will be occasions when Band 5 Clinicians will need to triage referrals in their capacity 
as duty desk clinician.  This too is within the scope of competencies for a Registered Nurse, using their 
core professional qualification and training to conduct assessments in line with the Nursing Midwifery’s 
code  and  standards.    A  senior  Clinician  is  available  to the  Band  5  Clinician  should they  require  any 
support in guidance in complex situations. 

All new members of staff are required to attend a corporate welcome day induction and each member 
of staff, including bank and agency staff, are required to complete statutory training depending on their 
role. 

The  Single  Point  of  Access  Manager  has  taken  immediate  action  to  ensure  anyone  performing  this 
role  within  the  Community  Mental  Health  Teams  has  access  to  the  Operational  Policy  and  Triage 
Guidelines.   

A  Task  and  Finish  group,  consisting  of  the  Initial  Response  Service  Manager,  Community  Mental 
Health  Team  Clinical  Lead,  Associate  Director  for  Mental  Health  and  Learning  Disabilities  Nursing, 
Suicide  Prevention  Lead  and  involving  Quality  Leads  from  both  Community  Mental  Health  and 
Inpatient  services;  representation  from  Crisis  Services  including  the  Psychiatric  Liaison  Service  with 
support from our governance team, is expected to commence later this month.  The group will review 
and  redesign  how  assessments  are  conducted  and  will  include  ongoing  work  around  developing  a 
standardised  triage  tool  covering  all  adult  mental  health  services,  based  on  the  UK  Mental  Health 
Triage  Scale,  as  well  as  developing  a  training  package  for  anyone  performing  a  triage  and 
assessment  role  within  the  Community  Mental  Health  Team  to  ensure  they  are  familiar  with  the 
assessment guidance and relevant policies and that there is a robust system in place to ensure this is 
the case.  The Single Point of Access Manager has already commenced work with the Quality Lead 
for  Community  Based  Mental  Health  services  in  reviewing  the  assessment  team  Operational  Policy 
and triage process. 

I hope that the above provides assurance in respect of the areas of concern identified in your report to 
prevent  future  deaths.  On  behalf  of  the  Trust  I  would  like  to  extend  my  sincere  condolences  to  Mrs 
Sharples and to Mr Sharples’ family. 

Yours sincerely 

Dr 
Interim Joint Medical Director 

Page 2

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