Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2020

Andrew Gibbins

Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, reference 2020-0290, written 17 Dec 2020. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.

Date of report17 Dec 2020
Reference2020-0290
DeceasedAndrew Gibbins
CoronerJacqueline Devonish
Coroner areaSuffolk
CategoryHospital Death (Clinical Procedures and medical management) related deaths · Mental Health related deaths · Suicide (from 2015)
Sourcejudiciary.uk record · original PDF
Responses published2

The report

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

REGULATION 28 REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS 

THIS REPORT IS BEING SENT TO: 

1. 
2. 

1 

CORONER 

I am Jacqueline Devonish, area coroner, for the coroner area of Suffolk 

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 6 March 2020 I commenced an investigation into the death of Andrew Gibbins, 54. 
The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 1 December 2020. The 
conclusion of the inquest was that he died from multiple skull and rib fracture with 
pneumohaemothorax due to a road traffic collision and that he had taken his own life. 

4 

CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH 

On 15.01.2020 Mr Gibbins who had a long history of mental health informal admissions 
ran into the path of a lorry on the A14 Westbound. Eye witnesses confirmed that his 
actions were deliberate. His injuries were incompatible with life. Recognition of Life 
Extinct (ROLE) at 20:50 hours. Mr Gibbins had been unescorted awaiting test results on 
Acute Assessment Unit (AAU). He had expressed to a security guard that he was feeling 
suicidal and that was why he was under Wedgewood unit. He appeared withdrawn but 
this information did not reach Wedgewood or the Staff Nurse. 

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 could 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 Hospital Security Guard guided Andrew Gibbins back to AAU looking lost 
and confused (following a cigarette break) when in a general way saying that he was 
feeling suicidal and that that had been the reason why he was under the care of 
Wedgewood.  There were no immediate concerns for him, but the Security Guard 
had been concerned enough to ask for the Wedgewood staff member escort when 
he returned to AAU.  Andrew’s presentation had not been reported to any clinician at 
either AAU or Wedgwood. 

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 18 February 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 

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 

17 December 2020                                            Jacqueline Devonish

Responses

2 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 Hellesdon Hospital (PDF)
Norfolk and Suffolk

NHS Foundation Trust

For the attention of: Trust Management
Jacqueline Devonish Hellesdon Hospital
HM Coroner \ Drayton High Road
Beacon House ‘ Hellesdon
Whitehouse Road Norwich
Ipswich NR6 5BE
IP1 5PB

18 March 2021

Dear Ms Devonish,
The inquest of Andrew Gibbins

Following the inquest of Mr Andrew Gibbins on 1° December 2020 you issued a Prevention of Future Deaths
Regulation 28 Notice to NSFT and the West Suffolk Hospital. We were surprised to receive this due to
confirmation at the inquest that no such notice would be issued to any of the parties involved however, we
understand that on reflection you felt communication needed to be improved between the two hospitals.

To this end | would like to reassure you that we have taken your concern seriously and have in place a
regular interface meeting with the West Suffolk Hospital to date we have held five such meetings. These
previously were informal however we have moved these to a formal footing with agreed actions and minutes
for governance purposes. This meeting is attended by senior staff who are authorised to make decisions.
and implement improvements, actions are tracked, and communication pathways have been strengthen as
a result.

| hope this provides you with the information you need to assure you that communication has improved
between the two providers.

Yours sincerely,

Chief Executive

iogether Chair: Marie Gabriel CBE Chief Executive: Jonathan Warren
NG TOGSINeS Trust Headquarters: Hellesdon Hospital, Drayton High Road, Norwich NR6 5BE
> fox beter menial heaiih Tel: 01603 421421 Fax: 01603 421341 www.nsft.nhs.uk

" AL Ee
Sy Bs, Work!
Response from West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (PDF)
Jacqueline Devonish 
H M Coroner 
Coroners Service 
Beacon House 
White House Road 
Ipswich 
Suffolk 
IP1 5PB 

Dear Coroner 

Chief Executive’s Office  
West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust 
Hardwick Lane 
Bury St Edmunds 
Suffolk 
IP33 2QZ 

17 February 2021 

Re: Andrew Gibbins Deceased – Regulation 28 (Prevention of Future Deaths) 

Thank you for your letter regarding the investigation into the death of Mr Andrew 
Gibbins.  

I have asked our Head of Patient Safety, Head of Deteriorating Patient and Head of 
Mental Health to address the matters of concern that you have over the actions in 
the joint action plan with the Norfolk and Suffolk Foundation Trust - the response is 
as follows; 

Recommendation Two - Cohesive working between both Trusts with particular 
regards to joint working and inter Trust protocols; 

The Trusts have commenced monthly meetings between the head of mental health 
and the lead nurse for NSFT’s West Suffolk Care Group to ensure cohesive 
working/trouble shooting and good communication.  These meetings are minuted for 
action planning, service improvement and assurance purposes.  

The handover process has been reviewed and when a patient is transferred from 
NSFT to WSFT for a physical health intervention the SBAR documentation will be 
handed over to WSFT staff. This information will be incorporated into the WSFT risk 
assessment.  This will be incorporated into the acute hospital mental health policy by 
31 May 2021.  

Recommendation Three – Acute hospital to review the missing person’s policy; 

The acute hospital missing person’s policy has been reviewed in January 2021 and 
deemed fit for purpose - attached.  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Recommendation Four – Acute hospital and ambulance Trusts to review 
communication processes. 

We have reviewed our communication process with the Ambulance Trust who have 
informed us that they did pass the information to us (as would be normal process for 
them), but on this occasion it appears there was some miscommunication.  It has 
been reinforced with the staff involved the importance of ensuring all information has 
been received and documented correctly. 

I hope that the above information and evidence provides you with a level of 
assurance in making your final decision and thank you for your consideration in this 
sad inquest. 

Yours sincerely 

Dr 
Chief Executive  

Enc. Missing Persons Policy

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