Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2022

Norman Barnes

Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, reference 2022-0045, written 14 Feb 2022. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.

Date of report14 Feb 2022
Reference2022-0045
DeceasedNorman Barnes
CoronerBina Patel
Coroner areaMid Kent & Medway
CategoryCare Home Health related deaths
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.

Mid Kent and Medway Coroners 

Cantium House 
2nd Floor 
Maidstone 
Kent 
ME14 1XD 

Telephone: 
New and Current  Cases: 03000  410502 
General  Enquiries:  03000  410503 
Email: KentandMedwayCoroners@kent.gov.uk 

REGULATION 28 REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS 

Norman Barnes (died 17.11.2021) 

THIS REPORT IS BEING SENT TO: 

Ashley Gardens  Care Centre, 419 Sutton  Road, Maidstone,  Kent 
Care Quality Commission  

1.  CORONER 

I am Bina  Patel, Area Coroner for the coroner area of Mid Kent & Medway. 

2.  CORONER’S LEGAL POWERS 

I  make  this  report  under  the  Coroners  and  Justice  Act  2009,  paragraph  7, 
Schedule  5, and The  Coroners  (Investigations)  Regulations  2013, regulations 
28 and 29. 

3. 

INVESTIGATION and INQUEST 

On  22nd  November  2021  I  commenced  an  investigation  into  the  death  of 
Norman Barnes who died, aged 67, on 17th November 2021 at Ashley Gardens 
Care Centre, 419 Sutton  Road, Maidstone,  Kent.  

The  investigation  concluded  at  the  end  of an  inquest  on  10th February  2022, 
conducted by me. I gave a narrative  conclusion  that:  
Norman  Barnes  died  on  the  17th  November  2021  at  Ashley  Gardens  Care 
Centre,  419  Sutton  Road,  Maidstone,  Kent.  He  had  choked  on  food  whilst 
eating  his lunch  in the  lounge  of the care home.  His lunch  was not minced  or 

 moist  as per  the  recommendation  of his  SALT assessment  and  devised  care 
plan. This occurred on a background of Parkinson’s  disease  which affected his 
swallow.   

The medical cause of death was: 

Ia. Inhalation  of Food 
Ib.  
1c 

II. Parkinson’s  Disease 

4.  CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH 

Norman  Barnes  died  on  the  17th  November  2021  at  Ashley  Gardens  Care 
Centre,  419  Sutton  Road,  Maidstone,  Kent.  He  had  choked  on  food  whilst 
eating  his lunch  in the  lounge  of the care home.  His lunch  was not minced  or 
moist  as per  the  recommendation  of his  SALT assessment  and  devised  care 
plan. This occurred on a background of Parkinson’s  disease  which affected his 
swallow.   

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: 

Evidence  was  given  by  health  care  staff  who  were  responsible  for personal 
care which included  service of and  delivery of meals  at Ashley Gardens  Care 
Centre that:   

(1) Whilst  they  were  aware  Mr Barnes  had  a  background  of Parkinson’s 
disease  and  this  by its  very nature  often causes  difficulties  in  chewing 
and  swallowing,  they  were  not  aware  of the  contents  of the  care  plan 
which  reflected  the  recommendations  of  the  SALT  assessment  for  a 
‘moist and  minced’ diet  for this  resident.   

(2) Care Home staff who attend  to patients  who should  be referring to  key 
information  contained  within  care  plans  and  risk  assessments 
to 
understand  and  effectively  deliver  a  patient’s  daily  needs  and 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 requirements   had not and  it was of concern to note  that they were not 
fully aware of important information  contained  in these  documents.   

6.   ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN 

In  my opinion,  action  should  be  taken  to  prevent  future  deaths  and  I believe 
that 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 11th April 2022. 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 following: 

•  HHJ Thomas  Teague  QC, the Chief Coroner of England  & Wales 
• 
•  Care Quality Commission  

 on behalf of the family of Norman Barnes 

I  am  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.  Signature: 

Bina Patel,  Area Coroner, Mid Kent & Medway 
14th February 2022

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