Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2023

Marion Luckraft

Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, reference 2023-0355, written 29 Sep 2023. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.

Date of report29 Sep 2023
Reference2023-0355
DeceasedMarion Luckraft
CoronerGraeme Irvine
Coroner areaEast London
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.

MRG IRVINE 
SENIOR CORONER 

EAST LONDON 

Walthamstow Coroner's Court, Queens Road Walthamstow, E17 SQP 

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, Barking, Havering & Redbridge, 

University Trust 

1 

CORONER 

I am Graeme Irvine, senior 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) Regulations 2013. 
httQ :LLwww.legislation .gov.ukLukQgaL2009L25Lschedu1eLSLQaragraQhL7 
httQ:LLwww.legislation .gov. ukL u ksiL2013L 1629LQa rtL7Lmade 

3 

INVESTIGATION and INQUEST 

On 19th  April 2023 I commenced an investigation into the death of Marion May Luckraft 
aged 84. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 11 th September 2023. 
The conclusion of the inquest was a short-form conclusion of natural causes. 

The medical cause of death was found to be; 

1 a Shock due to biliary sepsis 

1 b  Retroperitoneal duodenal perforation following endoscopic retrograde 
cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and placement of pancreatic stent. 

1c Biliary obstruction due to upper Qastrointestinal maliQnancv 

4 

 
 
 
 CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH 

Mrs Luckraft was admitted to hospital on 31/3/23 with jaundice. 

Diagnostic tests suggested an obstructed  biliary system, an ultrasound scan showed a 
dilated common bile duct (CBD). 

Further imaging occurred on 2/4, a CT abdomen with findings suggestive of CBD 
stricture and possible malignancy. A MRCP (Magnetic Resonance 
Cholangiopancreatography) provided a corroborative result on 4/4. 

On 11/4 an ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography)  was 
undertaken and an unsuccessful attempt to insert a stent into the CBD was undertaken. 
A stent was inserted in the pancreatic duct. 

A CT scan 13/4 on showed a duodenal perforation by displaced biliary stent with 
retroperitoneal gas/fluid. 

A number of factors; the patient's deterioration, an attempt at drainage through 
interventional radiology,  and discussion regarding which hospital site should be utilised, 
led to delays in transferring the patient to another hospital for a laparotomy and washout 
which occurred on 16/4. 

The patient passed away on 17/4/23 on ITU. 

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.  -

1.  Cumulative delays in the execution of diagnostic processes and treatments of 

the patient probably increased the risk of Mrs Luckraft developing biliary sepsis. 

2.  Following the duodenal perforation suffered by the patient there was a failure to 
promptly escalate her care to a high dependency unit despite her NEWS score 
of 8. 

3.  The fragmentation of the patient's treatment across two sites of the Trust 

contributed to delays in her treatment. 

4 .  The absence of a clear and workable treatment pathway fro biliary sepsis 

contributed to delays. 

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 b 13th  November 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 

2 

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

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] 29/09/2023 

[SIGNED BY CORONER 

3

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