Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2022

Amanda Gibbens

Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, reference 2022-0061, written 23 Feb 2022. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.

Date of report23 Feb 2022
Reference2022-0061
DeceasedAmanda Gibbens
CoronerGemma Brannigan
Coroner areaBuckinghamshire
CategoryHospital Death (Clinical Procedures and medical management) related deaths · Suicide (from 2015) · Mental Health related deaths
Organisation namedOxford Health NHS Foundation Trust
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.

Regulation 28: REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS 

NOTE:  This form is to be used after an inquest. 

REGULATION 28 REPORT TO PREVENT DEATHS 

THIS REPORT IS BEING SENT TO: 

1 

, Chief Executive, Oxford Health Nhs Foundation Trust 

1  CORONER 

I am Gemma BRANNIGAN, Assistant Coroner for the coroner area of Buckinghamshire 

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 

I opened an inquest into the death of Amanda Gibbens. The investigation concluded 
at the end of the inquest on 21 February 2022. 

The medical cause of death was: 
Ia Hypoxic brain injury 
Ib Asphyxiation 

4  CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH 

Ms Gibbens died on 13 July 2020 at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Buckinghamshire. Ms 
Gibbens had been detained under Section 2 of the Mental Health Act at Ruby Ward at 
the Whiteleaf Centre, managed by Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust. Whilst an in-
patient, the deceased made attempts to self-harm including by using a 
 and making multiple attempts to 

 – this action was 
Level 3 constant observations, she obstructed her 
not witnessed. She then suffered a cardiac arrest and despite resuscitation efforts she 
did not survive. 

. Whilst she was in the de-escalation room on 

5  CORONER’S CONCERNS 

Regulation 28 – After Inquest
Document Template Updated 30/07/2021 

 
 
 The MATTERS OF CONCERN are as follows: 
(brief summary of matters of concern) 

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. 

Using a monitor screen for Level 3 constant “within eyesight” enhanced 
observations. 

The jury found in this case that the deceased could not be seen at all times whist in 
the de-escalation area, because male healthcare staff moved from observing the 
female patient from their position in the doorway of the de-escalation room, to view 
via the monitor in the corridor, when the patient moved into the bathroom, to 
increase her privacy. Although the Observation policy has been updated since this 
death in July 2020, by the time of the inquest, the use of the monitor for performing 
L3 observations was not specifically addressed or prohibited. Although the head of 
nursing was clear that this should no longer be happening in practice, the current 
Matron of Ruby ward gave evidence that this was still happening, and although it was 
now being ‘discouraged’, it was not prohibited. 

Searching bedrooms on Ruby ward for prohibited items 

2. 
The evidence in this case demonstrated that the deceased had prohibited items in 
her bedroom on Ruby Ward, including a 

 The search of the patient environment in July 2020 was not 

effective in identifying and removing items which could be used for self-harm by a 
detained patient under the Mental Health Act, who was at risk of self harm. The 
evidence heard at the time of the inquest in February 2022 was that the bedroom 
searching process does not always include looking into or underneath a patient’s 
property in their room for concealed items, although some changes to the method 
and recording of searches are intended. A previous Report to Prevent Future Deaths 
to the Trust dated April 2019 also identified that the search process on Ruby ward 
was not effective. 

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, 

Regulation 28 – After Inquest
Document Template Updated 30/07/2021 

 
 namely by 21 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 Chief Coroner and to the following Interested 
Persons 

I have also sent it to 

Care Quality Commission 

who may find it useful or of interest. 

I am also under a duty to send a copy of your response to the Chief Coroner and all 
interested persons who in my opinion should receive it. 

I may also send a copy of your response to any person who I believe may find it useful 
or of interest. 

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  Dated: 23/02/2022 

Gemma BRANNIGAN 
Assistant Coroner for 
Buckinghamshire 

Regulation 28 – After Inquest
Document Template Updated 30/07/2021

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