Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2022

Joshua Rennard

Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, reference 2022-0091, written 7 Mar 2022. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.

Date of report7 Mar 2022
Reference2022-0091
DeceasedJoshua Rennard
CoronerStephen Eccleston
Coroner areaSouth Yorkshire (West)
CategorySuicide (from 2015) · Mental 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.

REGULATION 28 REPORT TO PREVENT DEATHS 

THIS REPORT IS BEING SENT TO:  

 Chief Executive, Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust 

Copies to 

1.  Chief  Executive, Sheffield CCG 
2. 

, Director Adult Social Care, Sheffield City Council 

1  CORONER 

I am Stephen Eccleston, Assistant Coroner for the area of South Yorkshire (West) 

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 13th October 2021 I commenced an investigation into the death of Joshua Adey Rennard aged 
33. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 18th March 2022. The conclusion of 
the inquest was: 

Ia)   Hanging 

I reached a conclusion of suicide. 

4  CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH 

 Joshua hanged himself at his parents’ home on 29th September 2021. 

5  CORONER’S CONCERNS 

The MATTERS OF CONCERNS are as f ollows: 

5.1 

5.2 

I received evidence from Ms. Spence and Ms. Pawson of the Mental Health Care Trust as 
f ollows. 
Joshua had been known to mental health services (MHS) since about 2018. He was again 
ref erred to MHS on 26.06.21 and was made subject to an order for assessment under S2 
Mental Health Act 1983 (MHA) on 26.07.21. He was discharged to the Sheffield Home 
Treatment Team on 11.08.21. 

5.3  A mental health nurse, Ms. Spence, was allocated on 31.08.21. 
5.4 

The view was reached on 18th August 2021 that Joshua’s deteriorating mental health and 
level of  risk meant that he should be assessed for detention for assessment under s2 MHA. 
This was not actioned until 26th August 2021. On that date, a warrant was applied for which 
contained errors which invalidated it. Nevertheless, Joshua was assessed, and the decision 
taken that he did not require a section as at that date. 
Joshua hanged himself on 29.09.21. 

5.5 
5.6  My particular concern is the delay between a professional view being reached that Joshua 

required assessment for S2 detention on 18th August 2022 and the actioning of that decision 
on 26th August 2021, 8 days later. The evidence was that Joshua was at risk during this 
period although I did not find that the delay specifically contributed to Joshua’s death on 29th 
September 2021. I am specifically concerned that others might be placed at risk if similar 
delays arise in the future. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 5.7  Further evidence was given that this delay was due to the way that the required Approved 

Mental Health Professional (AMHP) input was allocated or available. The evidence was that 
delays of this nature were not unusual and that people with mental illness are at risk during 
these gaps and delays. I considered that such delays in promptly progressing 
recommendations for assessments for Section could place people at risk of harm and death. 
I require you to report explaining (1) what action will be taken to prevent the risk of deaths 
while a person who is recommended for assessment for section is waiting for the 
assessment to take place and (2) what action will be taken to eliminate such waits for 
assessment. 

5.8 

 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 16th May 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 family of Joshua 
and also to The Sheffield CCG and the Director of Adult Social Care f or Sheffield Council 
who may f ind it useful or of interest. 

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. 

Dated:  7.3.22                             

 SIGNED BY 
 Steve Eccleston, Assistant Coroner for South Yorkshire (West)

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