Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2023

Geoffrey Whatling

Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, reference 2023-0418, written 27 Oct 2023. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.

Date of report27 Oct 2023
Reference2023-0418
DeceasedGeoffrey Whatling
CoronerJacqueline Lake
Coroner areaNorfolk
CategoryCare Home 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.

Regulation 28: REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS 

REGULATION 28 REPORT TO PREVENT DEATHS 

THIS REPORT IS BEING SENT TO: 

Amberley Hall Care Home 
55 Baldock Drive 
King’s Lynn 
PE30 3DQ 

Athena Care Homes (UK) Limited 
Unit 5 
Russel House 
Southfields Business Park 
Hornsby Way 
Laindon 
Essex 
SS15 6TF 

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 

On 02 May 2023 I commenced an investigation into the death of Geoffrey Alan WHATLING 
aged 82.  The investigation has not yet concluded and the inquest has not been heard. 

The medical cause of death was: 

1a) 
1b) 
1c) 
2) 

Infective Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 

Frailty, Old Age 

4  CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH 

Mr Whatling entered Amberley Hall Care Home on 14 March 2023 for rehabilitation. On 8 
April 2023, concerns were raised by Mr Whatling’s family that he was unwell. At 17.37 Mr 
Whatling scored 7 on the NEWS2 requiring 999 call to be made. 111 was called. Further 
observations were carried out on 9 April 2023 (NEWS2 score 6), and 07.00 (NEWS2 score 
5) and again on 10 April 2023 at 12.13 (NEWS2 score 9/10), when emergency services 
were called and Mr Whatling was admitted to Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Despite treatment 
Mr Whatling’s condition continued to deteriorate and he died on 26 April 2023. 
The medical cause of death is 1a) Infective exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary 
disease 2. Frailty, old age. 

Regulation 28 – Before Inquest 
Document Template Updated 30/07/2020 

 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: 

1.  Mr Whatling was not eating and drinking very much. A food and fluid chart was not 

fully completed. 

2.  Emergency services were not called on 8 April 2023 when Mr Whatling scored 

NEWS2 7 as required. 

3.  The evidence so far revealed is that 111 call taker was not made aware Mr Whatling 

had scored NEWS2 7. 

4.  Mr Whatling’s observations were not taken hourly as required. 
5.  Some of Mr Whatling’s observations were recorded on a piece of paper and were 

not logged in his Care Records 

6.  The Manager only became aware of gaps in the records following concerns raised 

by the family. 

7.  There is no evidence that any action has been taken following Mr Whatling’s death. 

6  ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN 

In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe your 
organisation has 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 December 22, 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: 

 - NOK 

I have also sent it to: 

Department of Health 
Care Quality Commission (CQC) 
HSIB 
Healthwatch Norfolk 
NHS England & NHS Improvement 

who may find it useful or of interest. 

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. 

Regulation 28 – Before Inquest 
Document Template Updated 30/07/2020 

 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: 27/10/2023 

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

Regulation 28 – Before Inquest 
Document Template Updated 30/07/2020

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