Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2018

Paul Price

Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, written 19 Sep 2018. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.

Date of report19 Sep 2018
DeceasedPaul Price
CoronerLouise Hunt
Coroner areaBirmingham and Solihull
CategoryCommunity health care and emergency services 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:   
Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Trust 
CORONER 

1 

I am Louise Hunt Senior Coroner for Birmingham and Solihull 

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 

INVESTIGATION and INQUEST 

On 20/06/2018 I commenced an investigation into the death of Paul Price. The investigation concluded at 
the end of an inquest on 18th September 2018. The conclusion of the inquest was Open. 

4 

CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH 

The deceased had a history of depression and anxiety. He first exhibited suicidal ideation in March 2018. 
He was assessed by the mental health team. He had a full assessment by a consultant on 04/05/18 and 
was prescribed further medication. He presented to the emergency department at City Hospital on 
15/05/18 having taken an overdose. He was then assessed by his GP on 16/05/18 when he denied any 
suicidal ideation and said his actions had been a cry for help. His GP spoke to him on 21/05/18 when he 
seemed better. On 01/06/18 the window in his room was found to be damaged and was repaired and 
closed. The mental health team were contacted as there were concerns about his wellbeing. The mental 
health team advised their systems were down and they would ring back however no one rang back. 
There were no concerns about him on 02/06/18 and 03/06/18. On 04/06/18 he was found on the ground 
outside his room having fallen from the window. His intentions at the time are unclear. He was taken to 
the Queen Elizabeth hospital where he was pronounced deceased at 13.06. 

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

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 MATTERS OF CONCERN are as follows.  –  

1.  Paul was seen for a full assessment on 04/05/18. The summary of that attendance in a letter 

was not received by the GP until 29/05/18. In the meantime Paul had attended his GP with 
ongoing concerns about his mental health and requesting further medication.  The delay in 
receiving critical information about vulnerable patients could put them a risk and result in over 
prescribing medication. In addition I was told that the IT systems for Birmingham and Solihull 
Mental Health Trust and the GPs are incompatible meaning that letters have to be faxed or 
posted causing further delay.  

2.  A call was made to the Mental Health team on 01/06/18 raising a concern about Paul’s mental 
health. The caller was told that the computer systems were down and the mental health team 
would call back – they did not call back. There is concern that staff are not accurately recording 
information and arranging follow-up. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 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 14th 
November 2018.   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 the family. I have also sent it to NHS England, 
CQC and the CCG 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. 

9 

18/09/2018 

Signature 

Louise Hunt  
Senior Coroner 
Birmingham and Solihull

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