Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2024

Shelemiah Peterkin

Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, reference 2024-0332, written 20 Jun 2024. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.

Date of report20 Jun 2024
Reference2024-0332
DeceasedShelemiah Peterkin
CoronerAdam Hodson
Coroner areaBirmingham and Solihull
CategorySuicide (from 2015) · Mental Health 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.

REGULATION 28 REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS 

 THIS REPORT IS BEING SENT TO:   

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF BIRMINGHAM AND SOLIHULL MENTAL HEALTH FOUNDATION 
TRUST 
CORONER 

 I am Mr Adam Hodson, HM Assistant Coroner for Birmingham and Solihull 
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. 
INVESTIGATION and INQUEST 

 On 8 February 2024 I commenced an investigation into the death of Shelemiah Pedaiah 
PETERKIN. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest. The conclusion of the inquest 
was: Suicide 

CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH  

  On 02/10/2023, Shelley was reported missing by a friend. Following concerns for Shelley's 
welfare, police forced entry to her home at 23:45 where she was sadly found deceased, and 
she had clearly been deceased for some time. Post mortem and toxicological analysis 
confirmed that she died as a result of intentional consumption of 
had purchased off the internet. Shelley had been spoken to by police on 03/09/2023 about 
the reasons for the purchase and she had reassured them as to its use. She had a history of 
poor mental health and was under the care of the community mental health team at the time 
of her death. Shelley had missed her planned monthly depot injection on 18/09/23 and the 
mental health team were trying to locate her. There was a missed opportunity by the police 
to force entry to her home on 27/09/2023, but it is not possible to say whether she would 
have been found alive at that time. 

, which she 

 Following a post mortem, the medical cause of death was determined to be: 

 poisoning 

 1a   

 1b    

 1c        

II 

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 MATTERS OF CONCERN are as follows.  – 

Matter 1 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

  
  
  
  
 
 1.  I heard evidence that there was a 6-day delay in the Community Mental Health Team team 
making a referral to the Home Treatment Team which was put down "clinical pressures". 
Upon discussion, these "clinical pressures" related to staffing levels and the evidence was 
that at the time the team was meant to have 7 clinical members of staff but only had 3. I 
was told that matters have improved somewhat and that now there is sufficient staffing 
levels. 

2.  However, it was confirmed that gaps in staffing levels do occur which can have a knock-on 

effect of causing issues with service delivery and care for patients. 

3.  It is not difficult to foresee that inadequate staffing levels will give rise to missed 

opportunities for patients to be assessed; for interventions to take place; and for treatments 
to be given - particularly where patients may choose to disengage with services but who do 
not demonstrate any "red flags" or early warnings, as was the case with Shelley. 

4.  As such, I am concerned about the risk of future deaths occurring if staffing issues arise in 

the future.  

Matter 2 

1.  I heard evidence from the Structured Judgment Review that a learning point was 

identified that early warning signs were not completed to the required expectation or 
standard. 

2.  As such, an Action Plan was prepared and a task was agreed that this would be 
discussed at the Trust Risk and Task Finishing Group to establish clear clinical 
standards, with the same then being disseminated within the Trust. This was 
allocated to the Clinical Service Manager for ICCR and was due to be completed by 
May 2024. 

3.  In evidence, it was confirmed that target had been missed due to a meeting being 
cancelled, but assurance was offered that it would take place in July - after the 
inquest has concluded. 

4.  I am concerned that if this target is pushed back and/or is not met, for whatever 

reason, there is a risk that future deaths will occur. Upon conclusion of the inquest, I 
am Functus Officio, with no power to request updates from the Trust to check and 
ensure that targets have been met and changes have been made. Whilst I am 
grateful for the efforts of reassurance provided by representatives of the Trust at the 
inquest, I am reluctant to dismiss my concerns, particularly where actions remain 
outstanding, and I have opportunity to take action now to ensure that the risk of 
future deaths is reduced. 

It is for you and your organisation to take the action that is required to resolve the issues and to 
prevent future patients from dying avoidable deaths. It is not for me as Coroner to make 
recommendations on how you do that, therefore I leave matters in your hands. 

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. 

YOUR RESPONSE 

 You are under a duty to respond to this report within 56 days of the date of this report, namely by 
15 August 2024. I, the coroner, may extend the period. 

6 

7 

  
  
 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.  

COPIES and PUBLICATION 

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

 (Next of Kin) 

 I have also sent it to the ICS and NHS England 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. 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. 
 20 June 2024  

8 

9 

Signature: 

Adam Hodson 

Assistant Coroner for Birmingham and Solihull

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 Bsmhft (PDF)
Legal Department 
Uffculme Centre 
52 Queensbridge Road 
Moseley 
Birmingham B13 8QY 

Tel: 

Mr Adam Hodson, 
Deputy Coroner, 
Birmingham and Solihull Areas, 
BIRMINGHAM  
B4 6BJ 

BY EMAIL ONLY TO: 

Our Ref:  

Your Ref: 

Date: 

29 July 2024 

Dear Mr Hodson, 

Re: Prevention of Future deaths Shelemiah Peterkin 

Thank you for your Prevention of Future Deaths report dated 20 June 2024 with. May I begin by offering 
my sincere condolences to Shelemiah’s family. I understand that explanations were given during the 
inquest to offer assurances that lessons have been learned, but further information has been requested 
through your Prevention of Future Deaths report. I will aim to respond to each of your points in turn.  

Matter 1- Relating to staffing 
Since this time, Lyndon CMHT has successfully recruited into all vacant posts.  Additional  investment 
into the team has also taken place as a result of  Community Mental Health Transformation, this has 
increased the workforce capacity within the team, these roles have also been recruited into.  With the 
additional funding and successful recruitment into all vacant posts, it is unlikely that the team will face 
inadequate levels of staffing  in in the immediate future. If however this was to occur, there is a  clear 
escalation  process  in  place  that  would  ensure  a  timely  review  of  any  gaps  and  would  support  the 
development of a clear plan to mitigate the identifed risks.  

Matter 2- Early Warning Signs 
This was discussed at the Clinical Risk Processes Group on 13th June 2024, with a further meeting 
chaired by the Deputy Medical Director and Head of Patient Safety on 21st June 2024.  It was agreed 
that Early Warning Signs is a core skill of those who have undertaken clinical training, and that further 
support for this will be incorporated into the DIALOG+ (care planning and safety planning) training for 
staff which is currently underway. Additionally, the current CPA Part B Care Plan and the new Dialog+ 
Safety Plan have been reviewed and there are information and descriptor sentences already built into 
these forms to indicate the expected standard for the description of an Early Warning Sign. There are 
processes in place for teams to review the completion and quality of Care Plans through audits and 
clinical supervision. 

 Chair: 

  │  Chief Executive: 

  │  Website: www.bsmhft.nhs.uk 

Customer Relations: Mon–Fri, 8am–6pm  │  Tel: 

  │  Email: bsmhft.customerrelations@nhs.net 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 I sincerely hope that this has offered you the reassurances that the Trust takes learning very seriously 
and actions taken are followed up.  

Yours sincerely  

Chief Executive  
BSMHFT 

2

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