Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2022

Margaret Warwick

Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, reference 2022-0243, written 4 Aug 2022. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.

Date of report4 Aug 2022
Reference2022-0243
DeceasedMargaret Warwick
CoronerAlison Mutch
Coroner areaManchester South
CategoryHospital Death (Clinical Procedures and medical management) 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 

REGULATION 28 REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS 

THIS REPORT IS BEING SENT TO:  Secretary of State for Health and Social 
Care 

1  CORONER 

I am Alison Mutch, Senior Coroner, for the Coroner Area of Greater Manchester 
South 

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 10th  March 2022 I commenced an investigation into the death of Margaret 
Ena Warwick. The investigation concluded on the 15th  July 2022 and the 
conclusion was one of Accidental Death. The medical cause of death was 1a) 
Acute Myocardial Infarction; 1b) Operative repair right neck of femur 
fracture; II) Ischaemic heart disease, Left ventricular dysfunction 

4  CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH 

Margaret Ena Warwick lived independently. She had significant ischaemic heart 
disease and left ventricular dysfunction. She had previously had a myocardial 
infarction. She was not a suitable candidate for heart surgery. On 23rd  February 
2022 she had an accidental fall at home. She was taken to Tameside General 
Hospital where a fracture to the neck of femur requiring surgery was identified. A 
suspected pulmonary embolism was ruled out. There was an identified need for 
a pre-operative cardiac review, which did not take place until 28th  February 
2022. 

An MDT took place on 1st  March and it was agreed a HDU bed was required. A 
shortage of beds meant surgery was delayed until 3rd  March 2022. She initially 
made a good recovery post operatively but then began to deteriorate. She died 
at Tameside General Hospital on 7th  March 2022. 

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. 

1 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 The MATTERS OF CONCERN are as follows.  – 

1. The Inquest heard that under the NICE guidance where a patient needs
an operation for a hip fracture such as in Mrs Warwick’s case and needs
optimising, that optimisation should be dealt with expeditiously. In Mrs
Warwick’s case she needed cardiology assessment. That delay was due
in part to a shortage of cardiologists at the trust exacerbated in particular
by a lack of cover by cardiologists over weekends and OOH. The Inquest
heard that there was no facility for a patient such as Mrs Warwick to be
assessed by cardiology over the weekend;

2. Even after the assessment the Inquest heard evidence that there was a

further delay due to a shortage of theatre capacity at the Trust.

3. The delay was further compounded by a shortage of HDU beds at the

Trust. The Inquest heard that the Trust was trying to manage this but this
shortage was part of a national shortage of HDU beds.

6  ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN 

In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe you 
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 29th  September 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 namely 
General Hospital, who may find it useful or of interest. 

 on behalf of the Family and Tameside 

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  Alison Mutch 

HM Senior Coroner 

04.08.22 

2

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