Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2024

Yuri Hatton

Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, reference 2024-0608, written 11 Jun 2024. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.

Date of report11 Jun 2024
Reference2024-0608
DeceasedYuri Hatton
CoronerPriya Malhotra
Coroner areaLondon Inner (West)
CategoryState Custody 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 

THIS REPORT IS BEING SENT TO: 

1.  HMPPS 
2.  HMP Wandsworth 

1 

CORONER 

I am Priya Malhotra, Assistant Coroner, for the coroner area of Inner West 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.  It  is 
important  to  note  the  case  of R  (Dr  Siddiqui  and  Dr  Paeprer-Rohricht)  v  Assistant 
Coroner for East London; which clarifies that the issuing and receipt of a Regulation 28 
report  entails  no  more  than  the  coroner  bringing  some  information  regarding  a  public 
safety concern to the attention of the recipient. The report is not punitive in nature and 
engages no civil or criminal right or obligation on the part of the recipient, other than the 
obligation to respond to the report in writing within 56 days. 

3 

INVESTIGATION and INQUEST 

The  investigation  commenced  on  14  November  2018.  The  inquest  was  opened  on  27 
November  2018  and  concluded  at  the  end  of  the  inquest  on  12  April  2024.  The 
conclusion of the jury was drug related death. 

4 

CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH 

Yuri Hatton was detained at HMP Wandsworth. He died on 9 November 2018 aged 44 
years. His death was confirmed at St George’s Hospital, Tooting Road, London.  

The family requested the deceased is referred to as Yuri. I will reflect this in this report.  

On 7 November 2018 at approximately 18:25 healthcare staff were called to Yuri’s cell 
who was suspected of  taking an  opiate  overdose.  Naloxone was given and the  patient 
was noted to become more alert. He was later seen by healthcare staff at 23:46 and was 
reported to be awake, alert, breathing easily and watching television from his bed.  
At  approximately  00:10  on  8  November  2018  healthcare  staff  responded  to  a  call 
regarding  Yuri  who  was  found  to  be  breathing  abnormally  in  his  cell.  A  code  blue  was 
called,  and  cardiopulmonary  resuscitation  (CPR)  was  commenced.  His  airway  was 
maintained,  and  a  defibrillator  was  used  which  advised  no  shock  at  any  time.  He  was 
found  to  be  in  asystole  when  the  London  Ambulance  Service  (LAS)  arrived  at  00:20. 
CPR was continued with return of spontaneous circulation at 00:40. Yuri was intubated, 
given  200mcg  of  adrenaline  and  intramuscular  Naloxone  was  administered  with  no 
change  in  his  level  of  consciousness.  He  was  transferred  via  LAS  to  St  George’s 
Hospital and admitted to the General Intensive Care Unit (GICU). Whilst on the GICU he 
remained  profoundly  unconscious  off  all  sedation  and  demonstrated  features  of  brain 
stem  death.  He  was  declared  deceased  at  18:22  on  9  November  2018.  The  medical 
cause of death was: 

1a. Bronchopneumonia;  
1b. Hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy; and 
1c. Cardiac arrest resulting from the effects of methadone and mixed drug toxicity.   

The jury recorded in the Record of Inquest the following 4 failures cumulatively possibly 
contributed to Yuri’s death: 

1 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1. 

“To call a code blue and call an ambulance by the substance misuse nurse once 
naloxone was administered; 

2.  To  take  opportunities  to  correct  the  error  by  the  substance  misuse  nurse  by 

3. 
4. 

other experienced healthcare staff;  
Inappropriate clinical observations of Yuri post administration of the naloxone; 
Inadequate  communications  (especially  during  handovers)  between  the  prison 
staff between themselves or healthcare staff between themselves”.  

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) Operational Support Grade (OSG) training. Following the Inquest, I sought further 
evidence  regarding  several  matters,  including  OSG  training.  A  statement  provided  by 
HMP  Wandsworth  confirms  that  of  83  OGSs,  only  5  had  received  HMPPS  official 
training.  This  is  against  the  background  of  OSG’s  only  being  present  on  the  wings  at 
night, and therefore often the first to respond to any emergency.  
(2) The frequency and monitoring of first aid training. First Aid training is said to be 
refreshed locally annually. Training logs of some staff members involved in the  Inquest 
did not show centrally all the training received, instead a local training log is  said to be 
kept, but which were absent at the Inquest or post-Inquest. 
(3)  Recognising  unconsciousness.  The  First  Aid  training  offered,  whilst  addressing 
unconsciousness, is not prison specific. A new induction package was said to be rolled 
out imminently which will include instructions about what a member of prison staff should 
do if they believe that a prisoner  could be unconscious and will reiterate the instruction 
to call a code blue in such circumstances. This training has not yet been implemented.  

6 

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.  

7 

YOUR RESPONSE 

You are under a duty to respond to this report within 56 days of the date of this report, 
namely by 7 August 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,  NUCO  Training  and  to  Yuri’s 
family. 

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. 

9 

Priya Malhotra 
Assistant Coroner Inner West London 
11 June 2024                                              

2 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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