Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2022

Sandra Barnett

Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, reference 2024-0019, written 5 Apr 2022. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.

Date of report5 Apr 2022
Reference2024-0019
DeceasedSandra Barnett
CoronerPaul Cooper
Coroner areaLincolnshire
CategoryOther related deaths
Sourcejudiciary.uk record · original PDF
Responses published1

The report

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

«AuthorisingUserFullName» 
«AuthorisingUserAppointment» 
County of.Lincolnshire 

REGULATION 28 REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS 

THIS REPORT IS  BEING SENT TO: 

Holme Farm 
Willow Tree Lane 
Marsh Chapel 
Grimsby 
DN36 SUD 

.1. 

CORONER 

I am  Paul  Cooper, Assistant Coroner for the Coroner area of Lincolnshire,  Myle Cross Centre,  92 
Macaulay Drive,  St Giles,  Lincoln LN2 4EN . . 

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. 
httirtlwww. legislation .gov. u k/ukQga/2009/25/schedu le/5/QaragraQh/7 
httQ://www .legislation.gov .uk/uksi/2013/1629/Qart/7 /made 

3. 

INVESTIGATION and  INQUEST 

1a.  Traumatic Subdural  Haematoma (Operated) 
1b. 
1c. 
2. 

4. 

CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH 

Name of deceased: Mrs Sandra BARNETT 

Following an unwitnessed fall  downstairs whilst on  holiday in  Grimsby, which  occurred at 22:30 hrs 
on  16/04/2021  at a holiday let hosted by Airbnb (Holme Farm, 

).  The deceased was admitted to Grimsby A&E before being transferred to Hull 
for a decompressive craniotomy and  subsequently transferred to  RBH  on  05/05.  Underwent further 
surgery at RPH.  Post op transferred to Critical Care. Sedation was removed  however patient did 
not.wake. An  EEG  initially showed seizure activity. Treated with antiepileptics but her conscious 
level did  not improve.  Further imaging CT and  MRI  scan showed further evidence of haemorrhage 
in  brainstem. A family conference resulted  in  the decision for EOL care and tre~tment was 
withdrawn.  Patient continued to  deteriorate and  died.  Death verified 21/05/2021  at 1857 hrs. 

5. 

CORONE~SCONCERNS 

During the course,  of the inquest the evidence revealed  matters giving rise to concern.  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.  -

1 

 
 
 «AuthorisingUserFullName» 
«AuthorisingUserAppointment» 
County of Lincolnshire 
At the time of the fall did the staircase at the holiday home meet regulation standards as to width, 
depth,  handrails and  if not,  has any remedial work been undertaken since. 

6. 

ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN 

In  my opinion possible 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 by 
31/05/2022.  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 

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. 

Date:  «AuthorisedDateShort» 

«AAuthhor!s!ngUUserSFignNature»  0 

((  ut  onsmg  ser  u11  ame» 
«AuthorisingUserAppointment» 

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2

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 Respondent Not Named (PDF)
New Farm 

2 GMAY 2021 

25th  May 2022 
Mr Paul  Cooper Assistant Coroner 

Myle Cross Centre 
92 Macaulay Drive 

St Giles 
LINCOLN  LN2 4EN 

Dear Mr Cooper 

Regulation 28 Report Mrs Sandra Barnett - Response 

I am  in receipt of your report which relates to a property at Holme Farm, 

.  Please would you note that our names and address for correspondence is as above. 

The letter was delivered but as the property is not permanently occupied, the mailbox is not checked 
regularly hence the delay in responding to you. 

Context: 
Holme Farm  is a detached farmhouse dating back largely to the Victorian period although there is evidence 
of an  earlier farmhouse due to different levels on the ground floor. The property was extensively 

renovated in 2019/2020. We did in  fact do some alterations to the staircase at the top where there was a 
very narrow tread at the point where it splits into the two accesses to different parts of the house. We 
enlarged the tread to make it wider and replaced the stair carpet. We discussed replacing the whole 
staircase with the joiner to make it meet modern standards. However, we were unable to find a solution 

that retained the historic integrity of the farmhouse without substantial alteration to rooms at both levels. 
We began letting Holme Farm  in October 2020 and the Barnett family were one of the first visitors that we 
welcomed. We have continued to let Holme Farm without any similar incidents or reports from any visitors 

of safety issues. 
Action taken: 
Following the second visit of the Barnett family in April 2021 and the tragic accident, we immediately took 
the following steps to prevent future accidents in and around the staircase: 

1.  A second  handrail was added to the wall so that both hands could be used to use the stairs if 

required. 

2.  The temporary use of stairgates was ceased and permanent stairgates were fitted at the bottom 

and at both access points at the top of the stairs. 

3.  Further information was added to the AirBnb web pages  and the Visitors Information pack giving 
advance notice that this is an  old property with steps and stairs and that visitors should be aware 

and take care if they have mobility issues. 

I -attach some photographs to illustrate the above. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 As you can  imagine we were deeply shocked at the tragic death of Mrs Barnett especially as we had met 

her and talked about. the th.ings she had enjoyed during her holiday stay at Holme Farm. Our heartfelt 

condolences go to her husband and wider family. 

Yours sincerely,

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