Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2020

Michelle Turner

Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, reference 2020-0240, written 18 Nov 2020. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.

Date of report18 Nov 2020
Reference2020-0240
DeceasedMichelle Turner
CoronerTim Holloway
Coroner areaBlackpool and Fylde
CategoryAlcohol, drug and medication related deaths
Organisation namedLancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust
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: Prevention of Future Deaths report 
Michelle Susan Turner (died 01/06/19) 

REGULATION 28 REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS 

THIS REPORT IS BEING SENT TO:  

 

, Chief Operating Officer for the Fylde and Wyre Clinical Commissioning Group and 
of  the  Blackpool  Clinical  Commissioning  Group,  Blackpool  Stadium,  Seasiders  Way,  Blackpool, 
FY1 6JX. 

1 

CORONER 

I am: 

Tim Holloway 
Assistant Coroner for Blackpool & Fylde 
Municipal Buildings, PO Box 1066, Corporation Street, Blackpool, FY1 1GB 

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 5th June 2019 an investigation was commenced into the death of Michelle Susan Turner. The inquest 
which formed part of that investigation was opened on 17th July 2019 and the investigation concluded at 
the end of the inquest which was heard over a period of 3 days from 12th October 2020 to 14th October 
2020 inclusive. 

The conclusion of the inquest as to the medical cause of death was as follows: 

“1a. Multidrug toxicity” 

I reached the following conclusion as to Michelle Turner’s death: 

“Drug related death” 

4 

CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH 

My findings as to how, when and where Michelle Turner came by her death were as follows: 

“Police  attended  the  address  of  Michelle  Susan  Turner  at 
  Road,  Freckleton  on  Saturday  1st 
June  2019  where  she  was  found  slumped  and  unresponsive  on  the  floor  of  an  upstairs  bedroom.  The 
Deceased’s  death  was  confirmed  at  the  scene.  Michelle  Susan  Turner died  at  her  home  at 
Road, Freckleton on Saturday 1st June 2019, her death having been caused by her use of heroin, cocaine 
and  tramadol  in  the  period  leading  up  to  her  death.  Each  of  those  drugs  made  a  more  than  minimal, 
negligible or trivial contribution to her death in combination with the others.” 

5 

CORONER’S CONCERNS 

During  the  course  of  the  inquest  the  evidence  revealed  a  matter  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 MATTER OF CONCERN is as follows –  

I heard evidence and found that Michelle Turner had the support of her care coordinator and of her peer 
support worker and that she appeared to have built very positive relationships with each of them. I also 
heard evidence that: 
  The Clinical Commissioning Group holds the responsibility for the funding of peer support workers; 
  Peer support workers provide a variety of forms of support to service users, including assistance with 
connecting with drug services, support in managing their day, support in leaving the house and support 
in  engaging  in  activity  and  that,  very  significantly,  peer  support  workers  have  or  may  have  “lived 
experience” of alcohol and/or substance misuse; 

  This is an “invaluable” resource and, despite the circumstances of her death, Michelle Turner had felt 

inspired by her peer support worker; 

  There is a possibility that funding for peer support workers will be lost in March 2021. 
The  concern  that  arises  in  these  circumstances  is  that  the  service  provided  by  peer  support  workers, 
which  may  be  essential  to  those  with  mental  health  conditions  and/or  with  alcohol  and/or  substance 
misuse problems and which is provided by those who, amongst service providers, may have the unique 
perspective of having “lived experience” of such problems, may be lost.  
ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN 

6 

In  my  opinion  action  should  be  taken  to  prevent  future  deaths  and  I  believe  that  the  Clinical 
Commissioning Group concerned has the power to take such action.  

This  report  should  not  be  read,  in  any  sense,  as  implying  any  criticism  and  decisions  such  as  those  in 
question are, ultimately, a matter for the Clinical Commissioning Group. 

7 

YOUR RESPONSE 

You are under a duty to respond to this report within 56 days of the date of this report, namely by 12th 
January 2021. 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 FAMILY OF MICHELLE TURNER 
LANCASHIRE AND SOUTH CUMBRIA NHS FOUNDATION TRUST 

 
 
  DR 

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: 18/11/2020 

Signature TRHolloway 
Tim Holloway Assistant Coroner, Blackpool & Fylde

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 Blackpool CCG (PDF)
12 January 2021 

Tim Holloway 
Assistant Coroner for Blackpool and Fylde 
Municipal Buildings 
PO Box 1066 
Corporation Street 
Blackpool  
FY1 1GB 

Dear Mr Holloway, 

Regulation 28: Prevention of Future Deaths Report - Michelle Susan Turner (Died 01/06/19) 

Please find below the response from Fylde and Wyre Clinical Commissioning Committee (CCG) to 
the Regulation 28 report, as above. 

As a CCG we recognise the importance of peer support workers with lived experience in supporting 
people with mental health needs and are pleased to hear this was a valuable resource in supporting 
Michelle. 

Fylde  and  Wyre  CCG  commissions  peer  support  workers  recurrently  from  Lancashire  and  South 
Cumbria  NHS  Foundation  Trust,  who  sub-contract  to  Calico,  as  the  current  provider.  This  sub-
contract arrangement was due to end on 31 March 2021; however, an extension has been agreed 
to ensure continuity of provision until March 2022.  

As part of the Long-Term Plan January 2019, the Integrated Care System (ICS) across Lancashire 
and South Cumbria is currently transforming community mental health services and peer support 
workers form part of that model. This transformation will secure the long-term sustainability of this 
type of support from the voluntary sector. 

The transformation model is due to be submitted to NHS England on 22 January 2021 and subject 
to approval, the ICS will continue with its 4-year implementation plan (2020/21 – 2023/24), which will 
then provide continued commitment and funding. 

The model and redesign will build on current arrangements, whilst learning from exemplar models 
nationally, to provide invaluable resources to support people with serious mental illness, including 
interventions such as drugs and alcohol misuse, social housing, eating disorders, etc, and ensuring 
those  on  the  mental  health  registers  of  each  GP  Practice  receive  an  annual  health  check.  The 
support from those with “lived experience” key workers will help people manage their daily activities 
both mentally and physically. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 I  hope  this  provides  reassurance  that  Fylde  and  Wyre  CCG  recognise  the  importance  these  key 
roles have on supporting the community and that we continue to provide this in the future. 

Yours sincerely 

Executive Clinical Director

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