Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2026

Somtera Bibi

Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, reference 2026-0260, written 2 May 2026. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.

Date of report2 May 2026
Reference2026-0260
DeceasedSomtera Bibi
CoronerNadia Persaud
Coroner areaEast London
Organisation namedEast London NHS Foundation Trust
Sourcejudiciary.uk record
Responses published1

The report

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

MISS N PERSAUD
HIS MAJESTY’S CORONER

EAST LONDON

EAST LONDON CORONERS, 124 Queens Road, Walthamstow, London E17 8QP

REGULATION 28:  REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS

REGULATION 28 REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS

THIS REPORT IS BEING SENT TO:

1. 

 Interim Chief Executive Officer, East London

Foundation NHS Trust (ELFT)

1

CORONER

I am Nadia Persaud, Area Coroner for the coroner area of East 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.
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2009/25/schedule/5/paragraph/7
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2013/1629/part/7/made

3

INVESTIGATION and INQUEST

On the 14 April 2022 I commenced an investigation into the death of Somtera Bibi, aged
80 at the time of her death. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 23
April 2026, reaching a narrative conclusion:

Mrs Somtera Bibi died as a result of stab wounds to the chest.  The perpetrator was a
family member who was suffering from a mental health disorder at the time of inflicting
the fatal injuries upon her.

1

 4

CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH

Mrs Somtera Bibi received fatal stab wounds in her home address on the morning of 2
April 2022.  Her life was pronounced extinct by a medical practitioner on scene.  The
fatal injuries were inflicted by her grandson who was suffering from schizoaffective
disorder.  The grandson had been under the care of the ELFT mental health services for
many years.  Despite a recurrent cycle of non-compliance with medication; relapse in
mental health; violent and aggressive behaviour and detention in hospital, the patient
was not cared for under a robust framework of mental healthcare whilst in the
community.  He was known to present as a risk to others when unwell and was known
to frequently stop taking his medication.  Despite this there was no relapse prevention
plan and/or safety plan in place to safeguard members of his family living in the home
address.  There had been no Domestic Abuse Stalking and Harassment (“DASH”) risk
assessments carried out by the mental health team, or safeguarding referrals by the
mental health team when prior risk incidents occurred.  There was no attempt by the
mental health team to ensure multi-agency risk management or to involve the patient
and his family in robust risk management.  The evidence at the inquest did not reveal
that such risk management would on the balance of probabilities have prevented Mrs
Bibi’s death, but it is clear that there was a missed opportunity to attempt to safeguard
her.

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
following areas. In the circumstances it is my statutory duty to report to you.

The MATTERS OF CONCERN are as follows:

The patient/perpetrator was identified as being a risk to others when unwell.  His risk
assessment identified domestic abuse; sexual abuse; possession/preoccupation with
weapons; threats to kill family members.  The risk assessment noted a prior conviction
for possession of a knife and threatening behaviour.

Despite identifying the above risks over a period of many years, there was no relapse
prevention plan; family safety plan or significant attempts to safeguard the family.
Specifically:

(i)  There was no adequate evidence of a response to multiple attempts by the

police to formulate a safety plan for the family

(ii)  No advice was sought from the forensic psychiatric team in light of the previous
conviction; nature of risk and assault on his mother in October 2020

(iii)  No DASH risk assessment was completed or attempted, following incidents

where family were harmed or threatened

(iv)  No attempts to involve the safeguarding or social care team to protect

vulnerable family members

(v)  No relapse prevention plan/risk management plan, drawn up with the input of

the patient and family members

(vi)  There was no risk assessment within the home environment with practical
advice to the family on how to keep safe in the event of another violent
relapse

2

 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 30 June 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.

8

COPIES and PUBLICATION

I am sending a copy of my report to the family of Somtera Bibi, to the CQC and to the
local Director for Public Health.

I am also under a duty to send a copy of the report and your response to the Chief
Coroner and all interested persons who in my opinion should receive it.

I may also send a copy of your response to any other person who I believe 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 she 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.

9

2 May 2026

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 East London Foundation NHS Trust
Office of the Chief Medical Officer
Trust Headquarters
Robert Dolan House
5th Floor
9 Alie Street
London E1 8DE

Private & Confidential 

HMC Nadia Persaud 

Dated 30 June 2026 

Dear Madam, 

RE: REGULATION 28 REPORT 

1. This is a formal response to your Regulation 28 report issued on 2 May 2026 where you set out 
concerns relating to the care of 
under the East London NHS Foundation Trust’s (the 
Trust’s) care. 

2. I understand that at the inquest into Mrs Bibi’s death, you heard evidence from the Trust’s 
Deputy Borough Director for Newham outlining the learning that has taken place because of her 
death. I understand that you remained concerned about the risk of future deaths in relation to the 
following areas: 

Concern 1 - There was no adequate evidence of a response to multiple attempts by the 
police to formulate a safety plan for the family 

Concern 2 - No advice was sought from the forensic psychiatric team in light of the previous 
conviction; nature of risk and assault on his mother in October 2020 

Concern 3 - No DASH risk assessment was completed or attempted, following incidents 
where family were harmed or threatened 

Concern 4 - No attempts to involve the safeguarding or social care team to protect 
vulnerable family members 

Concern 5 - No relapse prevention plan/risk management plan, drawn up with the input of 
the patient and family members 

Concern 6 - There was no risk assessment within the home environment with practical 
advice to the family on how to keep safe in the event of another violent relapse 

3. I am writing to assure you and the family of Mrs Bibi that the Trust has carefully reviewed the 
issues highlighted within the Regulation 28 Report and has actioned as outlined below. 

 
             
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 RESPONSE 

Concern 1: Police communication  

4. The key elements of communication between the Trust’s Newham Mental Health Services and the 
Police include the Multi-Agency Interface Meeting and the Right Care Right Person meeting. Both 
meetings are held monthly. The Interface Meeting allows both MH Services and the police to raise 
concerns or address issues that have been relevant to the interface between mental health and 
criminal justice system. This has a set agenda and actions are recorded. The Right Care Right 
Person meeting is to address some of the changing practice and culture in the ways of working 
arising from the introduction of the Right Care Right Person approach.  

5. Both provide forums for addressing interface challenges between mental health services (across 
health and social care teams) and the police, as well as for escalating individual cases where there 
are concerns about ensuring an appropriate response. 

6. 
Trust-wide Senior Police Liaison Meeting held quarterly. He can be contacted for any issues relating 
to liaison with the police, particularly where escalation may be required.  

 is the Trust’s Health, Safety and Security Lead. He provides a direct link to the 

7. On 21 April 2026 communication was circulated Trust-wide including expectations around 
contacting the police. 

Concern 2: Forensic input 

8. The process for seeking forensic consultation has been re-affirmed and circulated. Very simply, 
referrals can be made directly to a forensic colleague via their secretary. Where the threshold for 
review or consultation is met, the forensic consultant will take this forward. 

9. In 2023 the NE London integrated care board launched the FIND (Forensic Intellectual and 
Neurodevelopmental Disabilities) team. This would now be an additional consultative resource to 
support NE London teams working with service users with Learning Disability where there was a 
concern around potential contact with criminal justice services. Routes to access this resource has 
been circulated amongst staff.  

10. The Trust is also convening a workshop on 14 July 2026 to review co-working and liaison 
arrangements between forensic and general adult mental health services to ensure good practice is 
shared, including to review which kinds of cases are appropriate to discuss.  This will include 
representatives from all Trust geographical areas and all areas within North East London. 

Concern 3: DASH risk assessment 

11. All staff are required to complete Level 3 Safeguarding integrated Children/Adult training which 
covers DASH as an assessment tool. Refresher training is provided every three years. As of April 
2026, the Newham directorate compliance levels are currently at 88% and 90% for Adult Level 3 and 
Children Level 3 training respectively.  

12. Throughout May and June 2026, the Corporate Safeguarding Team has been delivering training 
for 60 Trust-wide Domestic Abuse Ambassadors. The training sessions aim to upskill operational 
staff members to act as a local point of expertise on Domestic Abuse best practice, with Named 
Professionals as the next point of contact for staff. The training focuses on DASH risk assessment as 
the tool for assessment. All Domestic Abuse Ambassadors will be provided with quarterly 
supervision delivered by Named Professionals.  

13. In addition, the Corporate Safeguarding team shares Trust-wide learning from DHR (Domestic 
Homicide Review)/DARDRs (Domestic Abuse Related Death Review) by newsletter which identifies 
the use of the DASH as learning from deaths.  

 
             
 
 
 
 Concern 4: Safeguarding 

14. Since this tragic incident, the Trust’s Newham Mental Health Service has made great efforts to 
integrate our safeguarding work with Local Authority colleagues through the introduction and 
bolstering of joint forums where cases are reviewed and plans are agreed. 

15. Named Professionals for Safeguarding provide case advice to clinicians when requested. 
Quarterly Safeguarding Supervision is delivered across the Trust. Inpatient mental health services 
have a fortnightly huddle and 4 weekly supervision with the Corporate Safeguarding Team.  

Concern 5: Relapse prevention plan and risk management plan 

16. The Trust has a large piece of work underway reviewing and strengthening risk assessment and 
management processes. This will involve changes to our clinical recording system as well as staff 
training. This is intended to create processes that are more focused on risk formulation, based on 
current factors and historical risk. For clarity, these processes would always be expected to involve 
the service user and also family/carers where this is relevant. 

17. The Trust is also working to improve our work with carers which will be important in supporting 
carers where issues of risk are relevant. This will be a multi-year programme focused on the 
“Triangle of Care”, in association with the Carer’s Trust. For Year 1 (2026), our focus will be on 
establishing a clear baseline across Mental Health Inpatient and Crisis Services through the Triangle 
of Care self-assessment process, identifying areas of good practice and opportunities for 
improvement, and supporting directorates to develop local action plans.   

18. It is important to note that relevant risks in this case would need multi-agency responses, 
whether through safeguarding or community safety pathways. This was discussed in the DARDR 
(Domestic Abuse Related Death Review) and continues to be an area of improvement work 
(discussed at inquest and in both ELFT learning statements, as per concerns 1, 3 and 4 above). 

Concern 6: Risk assessment in home environment  

19. In relation to the specific risks relating to this case, the relevant actions are those around risk 
formulation in terms of identifying risks (as per concern 5). In terms of mitigating identified risks, 
these should flow from the risk assessment and include the home environment where relevant. In 
relation to family or carer safety, the appropriate actions will predominantly relate to either 
safeguarding processes (DASH assessment/ MARAC referral etc) or community safety/police liaison 
processes. Learning for these is covered in relation to concerns 1, 3 and 4 as per the learning 
statements. 

20. Other direct health based responses would be focused on treating the underlying mental health 
condition where this is relevant, as did happen in this case. The trust might support hazard 
management advice (eg: locking away sharps) as a temporary measure, perhaps in the context of 
awaiting court approval for a MHA assessment. However, this would not be practical or robust for 
either a long-term approach or to manage an acutely dangerous situation. Safeguarding/Community 
Safety approaches or involving the police would be the approved and expected routes respectively. 
These are clearly outlined to staff and feature prominently in regular advice to both service users 
and carers respectively. 

Conclusion 

21. I hope this response provides sufficient reassurances to you and to the family of Mrs Bibi about 
the additional learning that has taken place at the Trust because of her sad death. 

 
             
 
 
 
 
 I would like to offer my sincere and heart-felt condolences to her family at this difficult time. 

Yours sincerely 

Chief Medical Officer

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