Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2024

Liam Turner

Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, reference 2024-0055, written 5 Feb 2024. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.

Date of report5 Feb 2024
Reference2024-0055
DeceasedLiam Turner
CoronerZak Golombeck
Coroner areaManchester City
CategoryAlcohol, drug and medication 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.

REG ULATION  28:  REPORT TO PREVE NT FUTURE DEATHS. 

REGULATION  28  REPORT TO  PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS 

THIS REPORT 15  BEING  SENT TO: 

•  HM  Prison and  Probation  Service 

Copied for interest to: 
•  Chief Coroner 
•  Foster Parents of the  Deceased 
•  HMP Manchester 
•  Ministry of Justice 
•  Greater Manchester Mental  Health  NHS Foundation Trust 
•  Delphi Medical 

1  CORONER 

I am  Mr Zak Golombeck, Area Coroner for Manchester (City) Area 

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 

INQUEST 

A jury concluded the inquest into the death of Liam Turner on  31 st  January 2024 and 
recorded that he died from : 

1a Toxicity of ADB-BUTINACA ("
combination with

"/ novel  psychoactive substance) in 

The jury returned  a conclusion of Drug  related  death. 

4  CIRCU MSTANCES OF THE DEATH 

The Deceased died  at HMP  Manchester on 6th  December 2021.  His death was 
caused  by a mixed toxicity of a psychoactive substance and  prescription medication. 
There were admitted failings  made by the Ministry of Justice (on  behalf of HMP 
Manchester) relating to the fact that a prison officer should  have raised  concerns that 
the  Deceased was under the influence of an  illicit substance with  healthcare earlier 
than  he did;  however,  these failings did  not contribute to the Deceased 's death. 

When three officers found the  Deceased  unresponsive in  his cell,  they moved  him 
from  his  bed to the floor in  preparation to commence cardiopulmonary resuscitation 

1 

 
 (CPR);  however,  CPR was not commenced  until the healthcare nurses (and 
subsequently paramedic) arrived . 

I sought evidence about training for CPR,  and  I was informed  by one witness that he 
received training  in  2006 as part of his  Emergency First Aid  at Work (EFAW) 
training;  however,  he  had  never had  any refresher training. 

The training  certification expires after 3 years,  and  it is  not mandatory for prison 
officers to receive refresher or additional training. 

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 will occur unless action is 
taken.  In the circumstances it is my statutory duty to  report to you. 

The MATTER OF CONCERN  is  as follows: 

It is  not mandatory for prison  officers to have basic first aid training  (which  includes 
the provision  of CPR) which  is  in-date.  Once a prison officer's three-year period  has 
expired, whilst they may be reminded  by the prison establishment that their 
certification  is no  longer live,  it is  not mandatory for them to renew this.  For example, 
at HMP Manchester,  at present 52% of prison staff received  Emergency First Aid  at 
Work (EFAW) training within the past three years as part of their initial officer 
training.  Therefore, 48%  of prison staff will  have training  certification  (which  includes 
CPR) which  has expired.  The evidence admitted was that the main reason for this is 
due to it not being  mandatory for prison staff to have up-to-date training. 

6  ACTION  SHOULD BE TAKEN 

In  my opinion action should  be taken to prevent future deaths and  I believe you  and 
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 Monday 1st  April  2024.  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  Interested  Persons.  I 
have also sent it to organisations who may find  it useful or of interest. 

I am  also  under a duty to send  the Chief Coroner a copy of your response. 

2 

 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  DATE: 

NAME OF CORONER: 

05/02/2024 

Signed: 

Mr Zak Golombeck 
HM Area Coroner for 
Manchester City Area 

3

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 Hm Prison and Probation Service (PDF)
Director General of Operations 
HM Prison and Probation Service 
8th Floor Ministry of Justice 
102 Petty France 
London 
SW1H 9AJ 

28 March 2024 

Mr Zak Golombeck   
HM Area Coroner 
Manchester City Area  
Exchange Floor  
The Royal Exchange Building  
Cross Street  
Manchester  
M2 7EF 

Dear Mr Golombeck 

Thank you for your Regulation 28 report of 5 February 2023 addressed to His Majesty’s Prison 
and Probation Service (HMPPS). I am responding as Director General of Operations. 

I know that you will share a copy of this response with Mr Turner’s family, and I would first like to 
express my condolences for their loss. Every death in custody is a tragedy and the safety of 
those in our care is my absolute priority. 

Following evidence heard at the inquest, you have raised some concerns regarding the first aid 
training for staff, particularly in relation to the use of CPR. Thank you for bringing your concern to 
my attention. 

As you are aware, the HMPPS First Aid Policy Framework was re-issued nationally in August 
2023. The revised policy highlights the training requirements for Emergency First Aid and First 
Aid in prisons, including the importance of Governors ensuring that there is an appropriate 
number of trained staff on duty at all times. To achieve this, a detailed local first aid risk 
assessment must be produced to determine the number of First Aiders at Work (FAW) and 
Emergency First Aiders at work (EFAW) required at an establishment at any given period, 
ensuring that they are deployed appropriately.  

At HMP Manchester, the requirement is for the provision of 21 trained first aiders and there are 
currently 39 officers with in-date training. Further to this, 52% of prison staff have received EFAW 
training within the last three years as part of their initial officer training. This is in addition to the 
provision of healthcare, which at HMP Manchester is 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in line with 
the Category A status of the prison. As such, healthcare staff are able to provide emergency 
assistance should the need arise.  Regular reviews will continue to be conducted to ensure that 
the needs of the prison are met. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 In respect of the EFAW training that all prison officers receive during their entry level training, all 
first aid training certificates are valid for three years before they can be renewed and, although 
not mandatory, staff are always encouraged to undertake refresher training to maintain their basic 
skills and keep up to date with any changes to first-aid procedures. 

In December 2023, HMP Manchester issued guidance as well as a presentation to all staff on 
circumstances that CPR (Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation) is appropriate. The guidance is clear 
in reiterating that all staff must be aware of their responsibilities and of the local procedures that 
are in place to enable an effective response to medical emergencies. 

Thank you again for bringing your concerns to my attention. I trust that this response provides 
assurance that action is being taken to address.  

Yours sincerely, 

Director General of Operations

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