Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2023

Ben Harrison

Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, reference 2023-0099, written 22 Mar 2023. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.

Date of report22 Mar 2023
Reference2023-0099
DeceasedBen Harrison
CoronerKate Sutherland
Coroner areaNorth Wales (East and Central)
CategorySuicide (from 2015) · Wales prevention of future deaths reports (2019 onwards)
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.

Kate Sutherland 
Assistant Coroner for North Wales (East and Central) 

REGULATION 28 REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS 

THIS REPORT IS BEING SENT TO:   

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board 

1 

CORONER 

I am Kate Sutherland, Assistant Coroner for North Wales (East and Central)                     

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 21 December 2020 an investigation was commenced into the death of Ben Christopher 
Harrison following his death on 18 December 2020.  

A second pre-Inquest hearing took place on 21 March 2023 following an initial Pre-Inquest 
hearing last year.  

The investigation remains ongoing at this time. 

4 

CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH 

The circumstances of the death are as follows : 

Ben was aged 37 at the time of his death on 18 December 2020. He had known psychiatric 
issues. On 15 December 2020 and whilst a voluntary inpatient at the Ablett Psychiatric Unit, 
Glan Clwyd Hospital he was found in cardiac arrest with a ligature around his neck, 

. He was resuscitated and oxygen cylinder utilised. The cylinder has two 

valves, both of which have to be opened before the cylinder will function. The valve on the side 
of the cylinder was not opened and so Ben was ventilated only on room air. Ben was transferred 
to Intensive Care Unit and died 3 days later. 

5 

CORONER’S CONCERNS 

During the course of the Pre-Inquest hearing , the evidence revealed matters giving rise to 
concerns.   

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.  – 

Coroner's Office, County Hall, Wynnstay Road, Ruthin, LL15 1YN 
Tel 01824 708047    |  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 The Health Board undertook an investigation following Ben’s death. The investigation contains 
an Action Plan arising as a result of the learning. It has taken the Health Board a considerable 
amount of time to update and provide the Action Plan, the most recent version still containing 
outstanding actions and yet Ben died over 2 years ago.  

It is particularly concerning that learning and actions arising therefrom are not more quickly 
addressed. If the learning, actions and changes are taking so long then there is a risk that 
deaths will continue in the interim.  

Overall, there is an evident lack of overall strategic direction to investigations and learning. 

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 10 
May 2023. I, Kate Sutherland, 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 Family of the Deceased and to the Chief Coroner. 

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 

Dated 22 March 2023 

Signature   
Assistant Coroner for North Wales (East and Central) 

Coroner's Office, County Hall, Wynnstay Road, Ruthin, LL15 1YN 
Tel 01824 708047    |

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