Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2022

Victoria Cartwright

Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, reference 2022-0182, written 17 Jun 2022. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.

Date of report17 Jun 2022
Reference2022-0182
DeceasedVictoria Cartwright
CoronerRachel Syed
Coroner areaManchester (West)
CategoryAlcohol, drug and medication related deaths · 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 FUTURE DEATHS (1) 

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

REGULATION 28 REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS 

THIS REPORT IS BEING SENT TO: 

Wigan Discharge Team, Royal Albert Edward Infirmary, Wigan 

1  CORONER 

I am Rachel Raheela Syed, HM Assistant Coroner, for the coroner area of 
Manchester 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 Wednesday 5th January 2022 I commenced an investigation into the death of 
Victoria Cartwright, 36. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 
Thursday 16th June 2022. 

The medical cause of death was: 

1 a) Hypothermia 

2) Alcohol Intoxication 

The conclusion of the inquest was 'Accident'. 

4  CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH 

The deceased was pronounced dead on the 26th December 2021, in the car 
park, rear of the Ball and Boot Pub, Orchard Street, Wigan. 
The deceased had a complicated medical history including a long battle with 
alcohol abuse, resulting in many hospital admissions, as a consequence of 
being found in the street intoxicated and unable to take care of herself. The 
deceased had completed a private detoxification and rehabilitation programme 
but despite this was unable to abstain from alcohol misuse. She was known her 
to local alcohol and mental health teams. 
On the 1oth November 2021 , she was admitted to hospital by the Police 
following welfare concerns. On the 19th November 2021, a Mental Health Team 
referral was made and an assessment revealed an impression that the 
deceased was suffering from alcohol related brain disease and Korsakoff s 
Syndrome. A Mental Health Clinician recommended a 24 hour care placement 
be out in olace as the deceased would be unable to manaae indeoendentlv. 

 Despite this recommendation, the deceased was discharged from hospital to a 
hotel used to house homeless individuals and the Mental Health Clinician was 
not notified of this decision. 
The deceased was readmitted back to hospital on the 21st December 2021, due 
to alcohol intoxication and the Mental Health Clinician reiterated that the 
deceased would require a 24 hour care placement and a Safeguarding and 
Social Care referral was made. 
From the evidence available, it is not possible to state the exact circumstances 
of when the deceased was next discharged from hospital. 
Closed circuit television footage reveals that on the 25th December 2021  at 
20:35 hours, the deceased got out of a car and sat on a bench, before 
staggering to the location in the car park,  rear of the Ball and Boot Pub where 
she was discovered dead the next day on the 26th December 2021, wearing 
unsuitable clothing for the weather conditions. 
Toxicology analysis reveals she had consumed large amounts of alcohol in the 
period leading to death. The Post Mortem findings conclude she had died from 
Hypothermia, which she developed whilst being under the influence of alcohol. 
There was no third-party involvement. 

5 

CORONER'S CONCERNS 

I 
I 

I 
I 

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. 
Whilst is it accepted that no evidence was heard directly from the hospital about 
the specific circumstances of both hospital discharges, two witnesses attended 
the Inquest and during their evidence concerns were raised regarding lack of 
collaborative working with key external agencies during the discharge 
processes. 

The MATIERS OF CONCERN are as follows.  -

 Consultant Psychiatrist for Greater Manchester Mental Health Trust 
stated he had recommended a 24 hour care placement for Victoria to meet her 
clinical needs. Despite this,  she was discharged from hospital to the Mercure 
Hotel,  used to house homeless individuals. 

 stated that this hotel would have been unsuitable for Victoria's 

medical needs and following her readmission back to hospital, raised similar 
concerns.  He also stated that he was never notified of Victoria's actual 
discharges. 

 a Recovery Co-Ordinator, employed by We Are With You 

(formerly Achieve) stated he was never invited to Victoria's MDT meeting and it 
would have been beneficial for his organisation to have been taken part in this 
meeting.  He concurred that the Mercure Hotel would have been unsuitable 
accommodation to suit Victoria's complex needs and was not involved in the 
hospital discharge processes. 

Evidence highlights a lack of collaborative working between the discharge team, 
Wigan Hospital,  GMMH and Achieve. 

6 

ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN 

In  mv ooinion urgent action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I 

2 

 7 

YOUR RESPONSE 

You are under a duty to respond to this report within 56 days of the date of this 
report, namely by Friday 12th August 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. 

  mother of Victoria Cartwright 

I have also sent it to Greater Manchester Mental Health and We Are With You 
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 other 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 th 
about the release or the publication of your response. 

9 

Date 
17th  June 2022 

Signed 
Rachel Raheela Syed 
HM Assistant Coroner 
Manchester West 

3

Related reports

Other reports by Rachel Syed

See all →

More reports categorised “Alcohol, drug and medication related deaths”

See all →

Track Alcohol, drug and medication related deaths

See every Prevention of Future Deaths report matching Alcohol, drug and medication related deaths, and how often a new one appears.

What would an alert for this have sent me? Search the full text

Free to try — the preview shows the real matches and how many arrived in the last 12 months. Your first email alert is free.

These reports are published by the Chief Coroner's office at judiciary.uk and are © Crown copyright. The text here is reproduced from the published PDF so it can be searched. If something on this page is wrong, or you are a person named in it and want it reviewed, email drcjar@gmail.com and we will act promptly.