Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2022

Bonnie Webster

Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, reference 2022-0378, written 25 Nov 2022. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.

Date of report25 Nov 2022
Reference2022-0378
DeceasedBonnie Webster
CoronerJacqueline Lake
Coroner areaNorfolk
CategoryChild Death (from 2015) · Hospital Death (Clinical Procedures and medical management) related deaths
Organisation namedThe Queen Elizabeth Hospital, King's Lynn, NHS Foundation Trust
Sourcejudiciary.uk record · original PDF
Responses published1

The report

Text extracted from the PDF text layer. Reproduced verbatim, including the scan's own layout.

Regulation 28: REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS 

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

REGULATION 28 REPORT TO PREVENT DEATHS 

THIS REPORT IS BEING SENT TO: 

The Chief Executive 
Queen Elizabeth Hospital 
Gayton Road 
King’s Lynn 
Norfolk 
PE30 4ET 

1  CORONER 

I am JACQUELINE LAKE, Senior Coroner for the coroner area of NORFOLK. 

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 17 February 2022 I commenced an investigation into the death of Bonnie Rose 
WEBSTER aged 1 Days.  The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 21 
November 2022. 

The medical cause of death was: 

Severe Hypoxic Ischaemic Encephalopathy 

1a) 
1b) 
1c) 
2) 

The conclusion of the inquest was: 
Bonnie died from a placental abruption. The evidence does not reveal the extent to which 
delays before and after birth contributed to her death 

4  CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH 

Bonnie’s mother was admitted to Queen Elizabeth Hospital on 9 February 2022 with a 
history of spontaneous rupture of membranes with some bleeding. She was assessed as 
being in early stages of labour Cardiotacograph [CTG] at 06.20 was within normal range. 
Caesarian section was discussed should bleeding worsen or CTG raise concern At 06.50 the 
CTG was “suspicious”  and Caesarian section was discussed again. It was not recommended 
or advised. At 07.10 the CTG was more concerning and “remained suspicious”  and 
Caesarian section was to be considered At 07.36 fetal scalp electrodes were fitted (after 
sourcing a working cord) and this showed a decrease in heartrate. An examination raised 
further concerns. A Caesarian section was recommended and agreed to and the consent 
form signed at 07.50 The procedure was deemed a Category 2 (concerns not immediately 
life threatening) and not a Category 1 (concerns of immediate risk to life). It is accepted 
this was a Category 1 procedure. The procedure took place in Theatre 2 which staff were 
unfamiliar with. Mother’s records had to be retrieved from the main Theatre. Theatre 2 did 
not have air in the resuscitaire. On another resuscitaire being brought to Theatre 2, it was 
found to be three quarters empty. There was no diamorphine in Theatre 2 and this had to 

Regulation 28 – After Inquest 
Document Template Updated 30/07/2021 

 be brought from the main Theatre. The Paediatrian was alerted on foot rather than by using 
the emergency beep system The results of blood tests taken at 06.30 hours were not 
available until after mother was taken to Theatre 2. Only one “group and save”  blood 
sample was available, rather than two. Bonnie was born via emergency caesarean section 
at 08.46 hours in a poor condition, requiring resuscitation and was admitted to the 
Neonatal Unit at QEH for ongoing management. A neonatal review took place at 09.35 
hours. Antibiotics prescribed during this review were given to Bonnie at 12.30 hours. 
Umbilical Cord Gas results were not available for 30 minutes. Tests showed low carbon 
dioxide levels. Bonnie continued to be placed on CPAP and was not intubated and ventilated 
until after arrival of the Transport team. Bonnie’s blood glucose levels were not all checked. 
Bonnie was not prepared for cooling at the first available opportunity. Due to deterioration 
in her condition, Bonnie was transferred to NNUH that afternoon. Despite active treatment, 
Bonnie’s condition continued to deteriorate and she died on 10 February 2022 at Norfolk 
and Norwich University Hospital. 

5  CORONER’S CONCERNS 

During the course of the investigation my inquiries 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: 
(brief summary of matters of concern) 

1. The evidence of Mr and Mrs Webster is they were unaware of the seriousness of the 
situation. Caesarian Section was discussed but was not advised or recommended at the 
meeting at 06.50 hours. This was clearly a traumatic meeting and Mr and Mrs Webster 
were upset which would have impacted on their ability to understand and take in important 
information. In such a situation clear language and ensuring an understanding of the whole 
situation is paramount 
2. Antiobiotics were prescribed at the initial review meeting at 09.35 hours. These were not 
given until 12.30 hours 
3. Evidence was heard that staff alerted the paediatric team on foot, rather than using the 
emergency "bleep" system. 

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 January 16, 2023.  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 

Mr and Mrs Webster. 

I have also sent it to 

Department of Heath 
Care Quality Commission 
HSIB 

Regulation 28 – After Inquest 
Document Template Updated 30/07/2021 

 Healthwatch Norfolk 
NHS England and NHS Improvement 

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 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 the time of your response about the 
release or the publication of your response by the Chief Coroner. 

9  Dated: 25/11/2022 

Jacqueline LAKE 
Senior Coroner for Norfolk 
County Hall 
Martineau Lane 
Norwich 
NR1 2DH 

Regulation 28 – After Inquest 
Document Template Updated 30/07/2021

Responses

1 response published against this report on judiciary.uk. A response is a body's written reply to the coroner's concerns; publication is at the discretion of the Chief Coroner's office, so an absent response does not mean nobody replied.

Response from The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Kings Lynn (PDF)
r,•1:bj 

The Queen Elizabeth 
Hospital King's Lynn 
NHS Foundation Trust 

Gayton Road 
Kings Lynn 
Norfolk 
PE30 4ET 
www.qehkl.nhs.uk

13th  January 2023 

Jacqueline Lake 
Senior Coroner for Norfolk 
County Hall 
Martineau Lane 
Norwich 
NR1  2DH 

Dear Mrs Lake, 

Re Bonnie Webster - Regulation 28 Response 

Thank you for the report in this case following the hearing which concluded on 2 ,  November. 

st

Firstly, may I take this opportunity to express how seriously we take the facts of this case, and 
your  report  under  paragraph  7,  Schedule  5,  of  the  Coroners  and  Justice  Act  2009  and 
regulations  28  and  29  of  the  Coroners  (Investigations)  Regulations  2013.  Honesty  and 
transparency are at the heart of what we do,  and  we believe that in seeking to  learn from 
these experiences, we can improve patient care and safety and embed these lessons in a way 
which  we  hope will provide reassurance to  our patients,  as well  as their families  and loved 
ones. We are conscious that Bonnie's family has had an extremely difficult time as a result of 
this case, and I extend our sincere sympathies to them once again. 

In my role as Acting Chief Executive Officer of The Queen Elizabeth Hospital King's Lynn NHS 
Foundation Trust I now set out the Trust's responses to the three concerns you raised in box (5) 
of the report. 

1.  The evidence of Mr and Mrs Webster is they were unaware of the seriousness of the 
situation. Caesarean Section was discussed but was not advised or recommended at 
the meeting at 06.50 hours. This was clearly a traumatic meeting and Mr and Mrs 
Webster were upset which would have impacted on their ability to understand and 
take in important information.  In such a situation clear language and ensuring an 
understanding of the whole situation is paramount. 

1 

www.qehkl.nhs.uk

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