Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2026

Bruce Caulfield

Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, reference 2026-0062, written 5 Feb 2026. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.

Date of report5 Feb 2026
Reference2026-0062
DeceasedBruce Caulfield
CoronerChris Morris
Coroner areaManchester South
CategoryHospital Death (Clinical Procedures and medical management) related deaths
Organisation namedManchester University NHS Foundation Trust
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: 
University NHS Foundation Trust      

CORONER 

, Trust Chief Executive, Manchester 

I am Chris Morris, Area Coroner for Greater Manchester (South). 

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. 
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2009/25/schedule/5/paragraph/7 
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2013/1629/part/7/made 

INVESTIGATION and INQUEST 

On 10th September 2025, I opened an inquest into the death of His Honour Bruce Caulfield who 
died at Trafford General Hospital, Trafford, on 19th August 2025 aged 80 years. The investigation 
concluded with an inquest which I heard on 4th February 2026 

Having heard evidence at the inquest, I determined His Honour died as a consequence of: 

1)a)  Myocardial infarction 

    b)        Coronary artery disease 

II Acute on chronic subdural haematoma (operated), hypertension, frailty 

At the end of the inquest, I recorded a narrative conclusion, finding that His Honour Bruce 
Caulfield died as a consequence of complications arising from coronary artery disease against 
a background of complex health problems including an acute on chronic subdural haematoma 
which required surgery and resulted in the need to withhold anti-platelet medication.     

CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH 

His Honour Bruce Caulfield died on 19th August 2025 at Trafford General Hospital, Trafford as a 
consequence of complications arising from coronary artery disease against a background of an 
acute on chronic subdural haematoma which required surgery, hypertension, and frailty.  

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. – 

1.  In relation to events leading up to His Honour’s death at Tra(cid:431)ord General 

Hospital on 19th August 2025, I am concerned as to how long transpired between 
a family member expressing concerns about a significant change in his 

 
 
 
 condition and requesting a review by a doctor, and any medical review actually 
taking place; 

2.  Having considered all of the evidence before the inquest with the utmost care, I 
am concerned that the approach to intentional rounding at Wythenshawe 
hospital in conjunction with other relevant nursing practices is insu(cid:431)icient to 
ensure vulnerable patients (such as those with cognitive impairment or the 
inability to eat or drink without assistance) receive adequate hydration and 
nutrition whilst on the wards; and  

3.  Whilst the Ward Manager’s local investigation in relation to the circumstances of 
a fall His Honour sustained on Doyle Ward, Wythenshawe hospital on 30th July 
2025 has resulted in an important change in practice as regards to 
communication between physiotherapy and nursing professionals as to agreed 
sitting-out recommendations and prominent documentation of these, I am 
concerned that comparable measures may not be in place across the Trust as a 
whole. 

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.    

YOUR RESPONSE   

You are under a duty to respond to this report within 56 days of the date of this report, namely 
by 2nd April 2026 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. 

COPIES and PUBLICATION   

I have sent a copy of my report to the Chief Coroner, together with His Honour’s widow on 
behalf of the family, and the Care Quality Commission and NHS Greater Manchester ICB who 
may find it useful or of interest.    

The Chief Coroner may publish either or both in a complete or redacted or summary form. She 
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.   

Dated:   

5th February 2026 

 
 
 
 
 
 Signature:     Chris Morris, Area Coroner, Manchester South.

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 Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (PDF)
Interim Deputy Chief Executive & Chief Nursing Officer  
Cobbett House  
Trust Headquarters 
Oxford Road  
M13 9WL  

Mr Christopher Morris 

Area Coroner, Manchester South  

HM Coroners Office  

1 Mount Tabor  

Stockport  

SK1 3AG 

24 March 2026 

Dear Mr Morris 

Re: Inquest into the death of His Honour Bruce Caulfield 

DOB: 2 April 1945 – DOD: 19 August 2025 

Response to Prevention of Future Deaths Report 

I write in response to the Prevention of Future Deaths Report issued to Manchester University NHS 

Foundation  Trust  (“the  Trust”),  pertaining  to  Wythenshawe,  Trafford,  Withington  and  Altrincham 

(WTWA) Hospitals, dated 5 February 2026, following your conclusion of the inquest on 4 February 

2026 into the death of His Honour Bruce Caulfield. 

I am grateful for the opportunity to respond to the matters of concern identified following the inquest. 

On behalf of the Trust, I offer our sincere condolences to His Honour Bruce Caulfield’s family. 

I  asked  the  WTWA  Hospitals  Medical  Director, 

  and  Director  of  Nursing, 

, to oversee the three matters of concern you have raised. We have considered the 

evidence heard at inquest, the Assurance Report previously disclosed to the Court (pages A20–A45 

www.mft.nhs.uk 

Incorporating: 
Altrincham Hospital • Manchester Royal Eye Hospital • Manchester Royal Infirmary • Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital •  
Saint Mary’s Hospital • Trafford General Hospital • University Dental Hospital of Manchester • Wythenshawe Hospital •  
Withington Community Hospital • Community Services 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 and appendices), and have undertaken further review at WTWA Hospitals and Trust level to ensure 

that appropriate assurance can be provided. 

We regret that the information previously available did not provide you with sufficient assurance. Each 

matter is addressed in turn below, and I have also outlined the actions taken and learning embedded. 

MATTER OF CONCERN 1 

In relation to the events leading up to His Honour’s death at Trafford General Hospital on 19th 

August  2025,  you  are  concerned  as  to  how  long  transpired  between  a  family  member 

expressing concerns about a significant change in his condition and requesting a review by a 

doctor, and any medical review actually taking place.  

This concern has been reviewed by 

, Associate Medical Director for  

WTWA Hospitals. 

At  06:53  hours  on  19  August  2025,  His  Honour’s  clinical  observations  were  undertaken  and 

documented  in  accordance  with  the  Trust’s  Adult  Early  Warning  Score  (EWS)  Policy.  These 

observations resulted in an EWS of 1, which under Trust policy indicates clinical stability and would 

not routinely trigger an urgent medical review unless there was a documented change in condition. 

At 11:51 hours on 19 August 2025, a ward round was undertaken and 

, Resident Doctor, 

documented that His Honour was drowsy and rousable and recorded a medical management plan for 

the  day. The  morning  of  the  19 August  2025,  His  Honour  had  been  hoisted  into  a  chair  at  08:30, 

supported with breakfast, and administered prescribed oral medication at 10:00, with regular nursing 

interaction documented throughout. 

We fully recognise and acknowledge the family’s account that concerns were raised that morning. 

This was not contemporaneously documented in the clinical record until the ward round took place. 

We  accept  the  evidence  heard  at  inquest  and  recognise  that  the  absence  of  documentation 

represents an important learning point. 

Discussions  are  taking  place  throughout  March  2026  led  by 

, 

through team meetings and other forums, such as team brief, to ensure that all  ward teams, which 

include  Medical,  Nursing,  and Allied  Health  Professional  (AHP)  colleagues,  understand  that  any  

concerns  raised  by  relatives  must  be  documented  in  the  patient’s  clinical  record  and  treated  as 

clinically  relevant  information,  irrespective  of  EWS  score.  Family  concerns  with  regards  to  patient 

deterioration will be referenced within local ward level safety huddles and documented. To be assured 

this  has  been  discussed  and  cascaded  to  all  teams  across  WTWA  Hospitals,  this  action  will  be 

monitored at the WTWA Quality and Patient Safety Group, which is chaired by 

. 

www.mft.nhs.uk 

Incorporating: 
Altrincham Hospital • Manchester Royal Eye Hospital • Manchester Royal Infirmary • Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital •  
Saint Mary’s Hospital • Trafford General Hospital • University Dental Hospital of Manchester • Wythenshawe Hospital •  
Withington Community Hospital • Community Services 

 
 EWS policy, with specific reference in the policy regarding recognition and escalation of neurological 

change, including new or increased drowsiness. This will be overseen through the WTWA Quality and 

 will oversee an action for all ward areas to re-read the Trust’s 

Patient Safety Group also. 

The Trust is rolling out Martha’s Rule, a national NHS patient safety initiative that empowers patients 

and families to request an urgent review and second opinion should they have concerns regarding 

the clinical condition of the patient. Oak Ward at Trafford Hospital has been identified as a pilot ward 

within the adult services roll-out. The pilot will commence in April 2026 and will be overseen by a Trust 

led oversight group and hospital site Quality and Patient Safety Groups.  

MATTER OF CONCERN 2 

Having  considered  all  of  the  evidence  before  the  inquest  with  the  utmost  care,  you  are 

concerned that the approach to intentional rounding at Wythenshawe hospital in conjunction 

with  other  relevant  nursing  practices  is  insufficient  to  ensure  vulnerable  patients  (such  as 

those  with  cognitive  impairment  or  the  inability  to  eat  or  drink  without  assistance)  receive 

adequate hydration and nutrition whilst on the wards.  

This concern has been reviewed by 

 Chief AHP for the 

Trust.   

I regret that the evidence presented at inquest did not provide you with sufficient assurance regarding 

the points that you have outlined in the second matter of concern.   

As you may be aware, ‘intentional rounding’ is a term used to describe a practice in care delivery to 

patients during their hospital admission; it is a structured proactive nursing process where staff check 

on patients at regular intervals to address any key needs such as pain, communication and placement 

of items such as a call bell. Although the terminology ‘intentional rounding’ was used with regards to 

care provided on Doyle Ward, it is not a term that is widely used across WTWA Hospitals to describe 

what  is  a  more  comprehensive  approach  to  care  delivery,  which  includes  assessment  and 

implementation of care. This approach is provided to all patients, including those patients who require 

support with nutrition and hydration, and those patients with a cognitive impairment.  

Each inpatient area has an identified ‘nutrition board’ which is updated every shift for every patient. 

This board indicates to the team on the ward those patients who require assistance with eating and 

drinking including those that require support with feeding. This also includes identification of dietary 

needs  such  as  diabetes  or  those  in  receipt  of  a  modified  diet.  Where  patients  are  identified  as 

cognitively impaired, vulnerable and/or experience challenges with dexterity, reasonable adjustments 

are  considered  to  ensure  that  patients  are  empowered  in  their  care  and  recovery;  this  includes 

www.mft.nhs.uk 

Incorporating: 
Altrincham Hospital • Manchester Royal Eye Hospital • Manchester Royal Infirmary • Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital •  
Saint Mary’s Hospital • Trafford General Hospital • University Dental Hospital of Manchester • Wythenshawe Hospital •  
Withington Community Hospital • Community Services 

 
 adapted cutlery, modified menus and ‘finger foods’ where appropriate. The oversight of food and drink 

delivery at ward level is provided by the Registered Nurse, and this is incorporated into the current 

Trust wide mealtime standards. These standards are monitored using visual observation and audited 

via the Trust Clinical Accreditation Programme, as well as the mealtime peer audits.  

Nutrition and Hydration Screening and Monitoring 

Following His Honour’s admission to Doyle Ward on 23 July 2025, he was placed on food charts on 

24 July 2025. This measure allowed staff to track his nutrition status closely and respond promptly 

to any emerging concerns. An audit of 49 patient records at Wythenshawe Hospital, completed in 

February 2026, found that 89% of relevant patients had food charts commenced appropriately. This 

enhanced audit will continue for the next three months to provide further assurance of consistent 

practice across WTWA hospitals. As part of His Honour’s nutrition and hydration management, he 

was placed on the ‘red tray system’ on 24 July 2025. The red tray is a visible prompt for staff, 

indicating that the patient is at high risk of malnutrition and requires assistance with eating or 

drinking. During his admission, His Honour required encouragement and support with both eating 

and drinking. It is documented that assistance was provided by staff, and there is noted 

documentation of family members being present at mealtimes. Assistance included direct feeding 

during mealtimes and frequent prompting to take fluids. All such interventions were documented in 

HIVE, the Trust’s electronic patient record system. 

The Trust follows the MFT Adult Nutrition Screening Policy for Inpatients in the Acute Setting, which 

is informed by NICE Clinical Guideline 32 on nutrition support for adults. The Malnutrition Universal 

Screening Tool (MUST) is used to identify patients at risk of malnutrition and ensure timely and 

appropriate interventions are implemented. His Honour underwent a MUST assessment on 27 July 

2025. The outcome of this assessment appropriately triggered a referral to the dietetic service, and 

His Honour was subsequently reviewed by a dietician on 30 July 2025. It is acknowledged that, in 

accordance with policy, the initial MUST assessment should have been completed within 24 hours 

of admission. 

Compliance with MUST screening is monitored monthly via the Integrated Performance Report. This 

is reviewed by the WTWA Nutrition and Hydration Group, with oversight at the WTWA Quality and 

Patient Safety Group and the Management Group. Compliance rates for completed MUST screens 

for patients admitted to WTWA were 91.7% in February 2026 and 92.4% in January 2026. 

Performance is monitored in real time through HIVE to support active learning. A targeted action 

plan, overseen by the WTWA Nutrition and Hydration Group and chaired by the WTWA Hospitals 

www.mft.nhs.uk 

Incorporating: 
Altrincham Hospital • Manchester Royal Eye Hospital • Manchester Royal Infirmary • Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital •  
Saint Mary’s Hospital • Trafford General Hospital • University Dental Hospital of Manchester • Wythenshawe Hospital •  
Withington Community Hospital • Community Services 

 
 
 
 Deputy Director of Nursing is in place with trajectory plans to achieve 100% compliance by the end 

of March 2026. 

His Honour had a hydration assessment carried out on 24 July 2025, which led to the 

commencement of fluid monitoring, with his intake and output documented. The Trust adheres to 

the MFT Fluid Balance Policy for Adult areas, which mandates hydration assessments to identify 

patients at risk and implement appropriate interventions, including the use of input/output charts. 

Compliance with hydration documentation is monitored through a live dashboard on HIVE. In 

January and February 2026, 95% of patients at WTWA had a hydration assessment completed 

within 24 hours of admission. This compliance is overseen by the WTWA Nutrition and Hydration 

Improvement Group. 

Training 

Nutrition and Hydration Awareness training compliance for clinical staff is 98.6% at WTWA and 94.7% 

on Doyle Ward. Food Service Process Training, which includes the quality, safety and experience of 

food services for patients, is currently at 93.6% compliance, with Doyle Ward achieving 100%. Patient 

experience data relating to nutrition and hydration has been consistently above 90% since July 2025 

and had increased further to 93.4% in January 2026. This feedback includes the quality and standard 

of food provided as well as the service from the staff.  

There  is  a  multidisciplinary  approach  to  nutrition  and  hydration,  which  includes  working  alongside 

housekeeping staff who are dedicated to each ward. The role of the housekeeper is to support the 

Ward Manager with the quality of patient food, and dining, and they are a key link and connection into 

the catering teams across the Hospitals. Shared learning for the housekeepers is undertaken via the 

WTWA  Housekeeper  Forum,  which  is  chaired  by  a  Matron  to  ensure  collaborative  working  and 

consistency in the application of food standards.  

Monitoring and Audit 

The quality and safety of food and drink services provided to patients at WTWA is monitored through 

a variety of structured processes. These measures are designed to ensure that all patients receive 

appropriate  nutrition  and  hydration  throughout  their  stay  whilst  also  providing  the  opportunity  for 

learning and continuous improvement. These measures are set out as follows: 

www.mft.nhs.uk 

Incorporating: 
Altrincham Hospital • Manchester Royal Eye Hospital • Manchester Royal Infirmary • Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital •  
Saint Mary’s Hospital • Trafford General Hospital • University Dental Hospital of Manchester • Wythenshawe Hospital •  
Withington Community Hospital • Community Services 

 
 
 
 
 
 •  Trust Clinical Accreditation Process 

The Trust Clinical Accreditation process is a peer review of clinical areas across the Trust, and forms 

part of a wider assurance and learning framework. The process triangulates data from several sources 

including patient safety, patient experience, and clinical effectiveness and follows key lines of enquiry. 

This is triangulated with visual observation to conclude an overall accreditation position ranging from 

bronze  (requires  improvement)  to  gold  (outstanding).  The  accreditations  include  a  review  of  the 

Trust’s mealtime standards  as  well  as  a  qualitative review  of  patients  with a cognitive impairment, 

those who may lack capacity, and the application of safeguarding processes such as Mental Capacity 

Act (MCA), Deprivation of Liberty Safeguarding (DoLs), and best interest decisions. All accreditations 

are led by a Director of Nursing or Deputy Director of Nursing from another hospital in the Trust. Once 

the accreditation has been completed the clinical area receives a report which includes recommended 

actions to support continual improvement. Any immediate quality and safety concerns are highlighted 

at  the  time  to  the  relevant  Director  of  Nursing  for  action  and  oversight.  During  2025,  Doyle  Ward 

achieved silver award status, which indicates the area is achieving a good standard.  

•  Patient Experience Feedback 

Patient experience feedback forms an integral part of the Trust's quality and assurance framework. 

This feedback includes reports of incidents, complaints, and general patient observations inclusive 

of and not limited to nutrition and hydration. These inputs provide valuable insights into the quality of 

food and drink services and highlight any areas for improvement and /or good practice.  This 

information is utilised to support improvements which are monitored through the WTWA Nutrition 

and Hydration Group and WTWA Patient Experience Group. The WTWA patient experience data 

relating to nutrition and hydration provision has been consistently above 90% since July 2025 and 

had increased further to 93.4% in January 2026. This feedback includes the quality and standard of 

food provided as well as the service provided by staff (as noted above). A patient experience report 

is presented quarterly to the WTWA Management Group chaired by 

, WTWA 

Chief Executive Officer.  

An area of focus is to ensure appropriate patient and carer representation on our Patient 

Experience Group, and this is being progressed by 

. This will help us to ensure 

that programmes of work undertaken are meaningful and reflective of the patient’s voice. 

www.mft.nhs.uk 

Incorporating: 
Altrincham Hospital • Manchester Royal Eye Hospital • Manchester Royal Infirmary • Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital •  
Saint Mary’s Hospital • Trafford General Hospital • University Dental Hospital of Manchester • Wythenshawe Hospital •  
Withington Community Hospital • Community Services 

 
 
 
 
 
 •  Quality Care Round Audit 

Internal auditing is carried out using the Quality Care Round audit, which reviews various aspects of 

patient care, including nutrition and hydration, the application of MUST risk assessments, food and 

hydration charts and fluid balance documentation. It also considers patient safety, communication and 

privacy  and  dignity,  reasonable  adjustment  practices  and  DoLs  documentation. This  audit  aims  to 

ensure that care standards are upheld and that patients’ needs are met across WTWA. The Quality 

Care Round audit has consistently exceeded the Trust target of 95%, since April 2025. This data is 

presented for scrutiny, oversight and assurance at the WTWA Management Group. 

•  Peer Dining Audits 

Peer  dining  audits  are  another  important  monitoring  mechanism;  these  are  WTWA  internal  audits 

carried out by Matrons for areas that they do not directly manage, which forms an independent review; 

any feedback required on the day is directly to the Ward Manager and Matron directly responsible for 

the area.  These audits focus upon six key elements that assess how effectively WTWA meets the 

needs  of  all  patients,  including  those  requiring  assistance  with  eating  and/or  drinking.  The  audits 

evaluate compliance with established standards and identify opportunities for ongoing improvement 

in patient care. The six key indicators are identified below. 

•  Are patients who need assistance or who are on a food chart having meals served on a ‘red 

tray’? 

• 

Is  assistance  being  provided  to  open  packages  and  cut  up  food  if  required  including 

reasonable adjustments for patients? 

•  Are food and drink care plans updated? 

•  Food and fluid balance charts completed if required. 

•  Preparation prior to meal service. 

•  Patient feedback at the point of meal service.  

In response to the concern raised, data from the last six months has been reviewed relating to the 

points noted above.  The review, undertaken across 28 wards, demonstrates 100% compliance in 

the first three indicators (above). Overall average compliance across all six indicators demonstrated 

85% compliance. These audits are undertaken in 6 inpatient ward areas as a minimum, monthly and 

are discussed with the respective Heads of Nursing and overseen by the WTWA Nutrition and 

Hydration Improvement Group. To ensure further improvement, areas of focus are as follows and 

are reported through the governance structures outlined within this response:  

www.mft.nhs.uk 

Incorporating: 
Altrincham Hospital • Manchester Royal Eye Hospital • Manchester Royal Infirmary • Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital •  
Saint Mary’s Hospital • Trafford General Hospital • University Dental Hospital of Manchester • Wythenshawe Hospital •  
Withington Community Hospital • Community Services 

 
 
 
 •  Additional monitoring is being provided through quality and safety walk rounds led by the 

Director or Deputy Director of Nursing with feedback provided in real time.  

•  Ward Manager and Matron walk arounds are in place and are now being formalised as part 

of increased assurance mechanisms to focus on mealtime preparedness and patient 

feedback in real time.  

• 

Increased volume and frequency of peer audits from March 2026 reporting into the weekly 

Senior Nurse Huddle chaired by 

, and oversight into the WTWA 

Nutrition and Hydration Group. 

The WTWA Clinical Group’s governance structure ensures that nutrition, hydration, and food service 

safety are overseen by the WTWA Quality and Safety Group, via the groups described including the 

WTWA  Nutrition  &  Hydration  Group. This  is  also  overseen  by  the Trust  Food  and  Drink  Oversight 

Group, and the Trust Nutrition & Hydration Oversight Group, which both report into the Trust Quality 

and  Safety  Management  Committee.  In  addition,  the  quality  and  compliance  of  dementia  care  is 

overseen  through  the  WTWA  patient  experience  group  which  reports  into  the  WTWA  Quality  and 

Patient Safety Group. 

•  Senior Nurse Review Process and Staffing Assurance  

The Senior Nurse Review is undertaken by Senior Nurses at Matron level and above for those patients 

identified as being vulnerable. This includes patients with a cognitive impairment such as dementia, 

or  those  patients  who  require  assistance  with  eating  and  drinking.  These  reviews  take  place  for 

patients on admission, and thereafter a plan of care is overseen by the Senior Nurse. This is supported 

by  a  clear  escalation  process  from  Ward  level  through  to  the  Director  of  Nursing  as  well  as  wider 

members of the multi-disciplinary team, including medical staff and AHPs. The review frequency is 

indicated from the initial review of the patient, with the Matron maintaining daily oversight.  

The  process  is  supported  through  a  daily  report  within  HIVE,  ensuring  there  is  visibility  of  actions 

identified  to  support  patients’  needs  and  assurance  of  completion. 

  has  daily 

oversight of the Senior Nurse Review process, and compliance of documented Senior Nurse Reviews 

for WTWA is currently 95%. The compliance of Senior Nurse Reviews is monitored through the Senior 

Nursing meetings, which are attended by the Heads of Nursing, with assurance provided to the WTWA 

Quality and Patient Safety Group.  

In the event of any staffing challenges being identified, to ensure the delivery of care standards, there 

are  clear escalation processes in place including twice daily staffing meetings chaired by a Head of 

Nursing or Lead Nurse, with monitoring of acuity and dependency of the wards using the nursing safe 

www.mft.nhs.uk 

Incorporating: 
Altrincham Hospital • Manchester Royal Eye Hospital • Manchester Royal Infirmary • Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital •  
Saint Mary’s Hospital • Trafford General Hospital • University Dental Hospital of Manchester • Wythenshawe Hospital •  
Withington Community Hospital • Community Services 

 
 
 
 care tool, and professional judgement; this also supports with decisions around redeployment of staff, 

monitoring of skill mix and utilisation of bank staff when required.   

MATTER OF CONCERN 3 

Whilst  the  Ward  Manager’s  local  investigation  in  relation  to  the  circumstances  of  a fall  His 

Honour sustained on Doyle Ward, Wythenshawe hospital on 30th July 2025 has resulted in an 

important  change  in  practice  as  regards  to  communication  between  physiotherapy  and 

nursing  professionals  as 

to  agreed  sitting-out 

recommendations  and  prominent 

documentation of these, you were concerned that comparable measures may not be in place 

across the Trust as a whole.  

I would like to offer our sincere apologies if the evidence presented at the inquest gave the impression 

that the improvements implemented on Doyle Ward were isolated to that ward alone; this is not the 

case. Across all inpatient areas a seating chart is used consistently, whether as laminated bedside 

signage or integrated into therapy timetables. AHP recommendations are documented within HIVE, 

which  is  accessible  to  all  clinical  professionals  across  the  Trust,  ensuring  a  unified  approach  to 

communication and care planning. 

Every ward follows a formalised nurse handover process between shifts, supporting continuity of care 

across the 24-hour period. AHP services are delivered on a specialty basis, ensuring consistency of 

clinical input. AHP staff attend daily board rounds, strengthening multidisciplinary communication and 

ensuring shared understanding of patient needs and risks. 

For  patients  sitting  out  for  the  first  time,  or  where  fatigue  risk  is  identified,  AHP  staff  undertake 

structured assessments including medical history, baseline function, muscle strength, sitting balance 

and  cognition.  Recommendations regarding  transfer method  and  seating  are  documented  in  HIVE 

and verbally handed over to nursing colleagues. Nursing staff implement these recommendations in 

conjunction with moving and handling risk assessments and ongoing observation. 

To provide further assurance, a comprehensive audit was undertaken at Wythenshawe Hospital in 

February  2026  across  six  wards,  involving  12  patients  representing  four  distinct  specialities.  This 

included  a  full  review  of  HIVE  documentation.  The  audit  specifically  evaluated  the  reliability  and 

consistency of current AHP physiotherapy assessments and nursing review processes. The findings 

confirmed  a  consistent  approach  to  documentation  within  the  patients’  HIVE  record  and  effective 

communication  between AHP  teams  and  ward  staff.  Key assurance  points  included  physiotherapy 

assessments  being  documented  in  every  ward  audited,  and  nursing  teams  consistently  reviewing 

these assessments during ward handovers and board rounds. This audit will be extended across the 

www.mft.nhs.uk 

Incorporating: 
Altrincham Hospital • Manchester Royal Eye Hospital • Manchester Royal Infirmary • Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital •  
Saint Mary’s Hospital • Trafford General Hospital • University Dental Hospital of Manchester • Wythenshawe Hospital •  
Withington Community Hospital • Community Services 

 
 
 
 
 Trust throughout March 2026, with findings reported through the Hospitals’ Quality and Patient Safety 

Groups. 

As a Trust we remain committed to developing and embedding a culture of physical activity across 

the Trust, as demonstrated through our ‘Active Hospitals’ programme which was formally launched in 

October 2025. This approach supports patients to remain active during their hospital stay and aims 

to  prevent  the  avoidable  harm  associated  with  hospital-acquired  deconditioning.  Staff  encourage 

patients  to  complete  daily  active  actions  aligned  to  their  acuity  and  individual  ability.  Promoting 

physical  movement  supports  recovery,  maintains  independence,  and  improves  mental  wellbeing. 

Progress of the Active Hospitals programme is monitored by a Trust-wide group, with senior leads 

identified for each hospital site. Ten inpatient areas across WTWA Hospitals including Doyle and Oak 

Ward are participating in this programme. 

I trust that this reply has assured you of our commitment to continuous learning and improvement.  

via Mrs Caulfield to extend their support directly and answer any further questions or concerns they 

 are, in parallel to this response, in contact with His Honours family 

may have around His Honour’s care. 

Yours sincerely, 

Interim Deputy Chief Executive & Chief Nursing Officer  

Enclosed: -  

1.  MFT Adult Early Warning Score Policy, version 2.2 

2.  MFT Adult Nutrition Screening Policy for patients in the acute setting (includes use of MUST), 

version 3 

3.  MFT Fluid Balance Policy for Adult Areas, Version 4.2 

www.mft.nhs.uk 

Incorporating: 
Altrincham Hospital • Manchester Royal Eye Hospital • Manchester Royal Infirmary • Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital •  
Saint Mary’s Hospital • Trafford General Hospital • University Dental Hospital of Manchester • Wythenshawe Hospital •  
Withington Community Hospital • Community Services

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