Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2022

Donna Neill

Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, reference 2022-0299, written 28 Sep 2022. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.

Date of report28 Sep 2022
Reference2022-0299
DeceasedDonna Neill
CoronerNadia Persaud
Coroner areaEast London
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.

MISS  N PERSAUD 
HIS  MAJESTY'S  CORONER 

EAST  LONDON 

Walthamstow Coroner's Court, Queens Road  Walthamst1ow,  E17 8QP 

REGULATION 28:  REPORT TO  PREVENT  FUTURE  DEATHS (1) 

REGULATION 28  REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS 

THIS REPORT IS  BEING  SENT TO: 

1. 

, Chief Executive Officer, East London  Foundation Trust 

Ref: 109860 

1 

CORONER 

I am Nadia  Persaud area coroner for the coroner area of East !London 

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) Reigulations 2013 . 
htt12 :LLwww. legislation .gov. u kLuki;2gaL2 009 L25Lsched u leLSL12a ragra 12 hL7 
htt12:LLwww.legislation.gov.ukLuksiL2013L1629L12artL7 Lmade 

3 

INVESTIGATION and  INQUEST 

On  14th  February 2019 I commenced an  investigation into the  death  of Mrs Donna 
Michelle Neill , age 45  years . The  investigation  concluded at the end  of the inquest on 
13th  September 2022 . The conclusion  of the  inquest a narrative conclusion: 

Donna  Neill died as a result of a fatal ingestion of oxycodone and pregabalin.  She  was 
living in  hazardous conditions and was unable to  keep  herself safe.  Failings on  behalf of 
her familial carer, her mental health team  and her social care  t19am  contributed to  her 
death.  There  was  a failure  to  fully assess and manage a clear risk of Donna  ingesting 
medication that was not prescribed to  her.  Her death  was  contributed to  by neglect. 

4 

CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH 

Donna  Neill suffered from emotionally  unstable personality disorder,  mental and 

1 

 
 
 
 behavioural disorder due to  drug  use and  mild  learning  disabilities.  She was not 
capable of living  independently and was not capable of managing  her own  medication . 
She required  the  involvement of mental health and  social care services.  In  July 2018 
concerns arose in  relation  to  her living  environment and  by  November 2018 concerns 
arose about the  suitability of her husband , as  her carer.  Safeguarding  procedures 
should have been  instigated  in  July 2018.  In  August 2018 , a closure order was put in 
place to  keep drugs users out of her home address.  The order was  breached  on  several 
occasions and  by  November 2018 , consideration was  being  given  to  also  excluding  her 
husband  from  her home.  A meeting took place  on  the 4 December 2018 with  Donna, 
her husband , the mental  health team and  her social worker.  It was clear at this  meeting 
that Donna was not receiving  her required  medication .  In  addition , it was disclosed that 
Donna was taking  her husband's medication . The risk of harm to  Donna from taking  her 
husband's medication was  not fully assessed and was  not appropriately managed.  On 
the  10  December 2018 , Donna was found  deceased  in  her bed  in  her home address . 
She died  as a result of an  overdose of medications prescribed to  her husband .  This was 
a risk that was clearly foreseeable  and  was a risk that she should  have been  protected 
from . 

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 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 .  -

A clear risk was raised at the  CPA meeting on  the 4th  December 2018.  This was the  risk 
of Donna taking  medications prescribed to  her husband .  This risk was not documented 
in  the Trust's mental health  records , not fully  assessed  and  no risk management plan 
was put in  place to  protect Donna from  harm . 

The absence of a risk assessment and  management plan was  not identified  as  a failing 
within the Trust's internal  investigation  report and  no  steps have been  taken  by  the  Trust 
to  improve the systems in  place. 

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  22 nd  November 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, family  of Donna  Neill (via  her solicitors) , Newham Safeguarding Adults, I have 
also sent it to  the  local director of Public Health 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. 

2 

 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 . 

9 

[DATE]  28  September 2022  [SIGNED  BY CORONER] 

3

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