Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2020

John Tucker

Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, reference 2020-0266, written 19 Nov 2020. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.

Date of report19 Nov 2020
Reference2020-0266
DeceasedJohn Tucker
CoronerCaroline Saunders
Coroner areaGwent
CategoryAlcohol, drug and medication related deaths
Sourcejudiciary.uk record · original PDF
Responses publishednone published

The report

Text recovered by OCR from a scanned PDF. OCR is imperfect: check anything you rely on against the source PDF. Reproduced verbatim, including the scan's own layout.

Regulations 28 and 29 of the Coroners (Investigations) Regulations 2013

REGULATION 28: REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS

[ REGULATION 28 REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS

THIS REPORT IS BEING SENT TO:

=

1. Chief Constable, Heddlu Gwent
1 CORONER

1am Caroline Saunders, Senior Coroner for the Area of Gwent

CORONER’S LEGAL POWERS

~ |

| 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 14 /12/2019 | commenced an investigation into the death of
John Allan TUCKER DOB: 2/6/1975.

The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on: 3/11/2020
The conclusion of the inquest was recorded as: Natural Causes

The medical cause of death was:

1a) Congestive cardiac failure

1b) Cardiomegaly and ischaemic heart disease

1c) Coronary Artery Disease (operated)

2. Drugs (methadone and cocaine) and alcohol intake.

4 CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH

John Tucker had a medical history of significant cardiac disease. This was in
part caused by hypercholesterolaemia (abnormally high cholesterol levels in
the blood) which caused plaque to be laid down in the arteries that supply
blood to the heart. There was also a family history of coronary artery disease.

As a result John did suffer from occlusion of the arteries and suffered a heart
attack which resulted in the need for him to undergo surgery and in 2018 he
underwent a coronary artery bypass grafting of all 4 coronary arties.

| |

John was thrown life-line by this surgery but due to his underlying
predisposition of high cholesterol and diabetes, the coronary disease would
return if he did not change his lifestyle. This included taking drugs and alcohol.

John was under supervision by the MOSOVO team and was apparently last
seen alive by] 2 member of the team on 10" June 2019. | am
satisfied that John was alive when seen by ae: | did not consider
there was any evidence of respiratory distress (as suggested by the family).
However, during qvesionin en 2 asked about John’s condition
and whether she would be able to recognise and manage signs of respiratory
distress confirmed she had received first aid training but could not

confirm that she would recognise respiratory distress or know how to manage
such a problem.

DS a a's gave evidence in relation to the police investigation and
to confirm there was no evidence of third party involvement in John’s death. In
relation to training, oS e\so confirmed that officers are given training
in basic life support but she could also not confirm that she could recognise or
manage treat respiratory distress.

There was no evidence of any flaw or omission in care afforded to John by
Gwent Police and no evidence, as aforementioned, that John was suffering
from respiratory distress at the time. This was a line of argument advanced by
the family.

5 CORONER’S CONCERNS
. During the course of the inquest, 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: -
The information fron of the MOSOVO team and DS
HM «ised some concerns about the nature and extent of basic life support
and first aid training provided to the different staff employed by Gwent police
who of course may be in regular contact with people who are unwell or injured
giving rise to respiratory problems.

6
ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN
In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and | believe you have

the power to take such action.

should be grateful if the following information be provided to me:

Confirmation regarding the nature and extent of basic life support training provided
to police employees; officers and civilian staff, particularly in relation to the
recognition and management of respiratory distress.

$$ ______j

YOUR RESPONSE

You are under a duty to respond to this report within 56 days of the date of this
report, namely 13" January 2021. |, the Coroner, may extend this 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 necessa

8 COPIES AND PUBLICATION

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

e The family of Mr John Allan TUCKER

lam 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.

DATE 19/11/2020

Caroline Saunders

Her Majesty’s Senior Coroner for the Area of Gwent.

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