Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2022

Colin Smith

Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, reference 2022-0293, written 16 Sep 2022. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.

Date of report16 Sep 2022
Reference2022-0293
DeceasedColin Smith
CoronerKaren Dilks
Coroner areaNewcastle and North Tyneside
CategoryAlcohol, drug and medication related deaths · Other 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.

Newcastle upon Tyne Coroners
MRS KAREN L DILKS 
HM SENIOR CORONER 
Civic Centre , Barras Bridge , Newcastle Upon Tyne , NE1 8QH

REGULATION 28 REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS 

Date: 16 September 2022 
Case: 9807817 

THIS REPORT IS BEING SENT TO: 
Association, St Silas Church Building, Clifford Street, Byker, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 1PG 
CORONER 

 Chief Executive, Tyne Housing 

I am Karen Dilks Senior Coroner  for Newcastle and North Tyneside 
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. 

1 

2 

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2009/25/schedule/5/paragraph/7 

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2013/1629/part/7/made 
INVESTIGATION and INQUEST 

On 8 October 2021 I commenced an investigation into the death of Colin Andrew Mark 
SMITH. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 14.9.22 The conclusion of 
the inquest was 

Alcohol related death. 

3  The Cause of Death was: 

1a  Acute Alcohol Intoxication with Mirtazapine 

1b 

1c 

II 
CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH 

Colin A M Smith was 39yrs old with a history of Alcohol Dependence Syndrome. 

4 

He was resident at Byker Bridge House Newcastle Upon Tyne; a Hostel providing 
emergency accommodation for homeless persons. 

 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 In or around 6.10.21 he consumed an excessive quantity of Alcohol leading to a Blood 
Alcohol level of 504mg/100ml(6 1/2 times legal limit for driving). He returned to the Hostel in 
a Highly Intoxicated condition. 

A Hostel Worker assisted him to his room and placed him on his side on the bed. Upon a 
welfare check by the Hostel worker approximately 2 hours later Mr Smith was unresponsive 
and death was later confirmed there due to the toxic effects of Alcohol. 

CORONER’S CONCERNS 

During the course of the inquest the evidence revealed matters giving rise to concern: 

Evidence was given which confirmed the absence of any training policy/programme for all 
hostel workers in respect of identifying the risks and signs of alcohol intoxication and 
circumstances indicating the need for urgent medical intervention. 

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.  – 

(1) Lack of structured training policy/programme for ALL Hostel workers in respect of 
identifying risks of Alcohol intoxication and indicators/signs of those risks. 

(2) Lack of training policy /programme for ALL Hostel workers re signs/indicators of need for 
urgent medical Intervention in Intoxication. 

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. 

YOUR RESPONSE 

5 

6 

You are under a duty to respond to this report within 56 days of the date of this report, 
namely by 17th November 2022. I, the coroner, may extend the period. 

7 

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. 
COPIES and PUBLICATION 

I have sent a copy of my report to the Chief Coroner and to the following Interested Persons 

8 

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. 
16 September 2022 

9 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   for  Newcastle upon Tyne Coroners

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