Recurring concern

Unreliable communication of patient-care information between clinical staff

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First reported 21 Aug 2013•Latest report 27 Feb 2026

Definition

What this concern includes

Includes failures to communicate relevant patient care, treatment or risk information between clinical staff responsible for the same patient's care.

Not included

  • Formal handover processes where handover itself is the more specific unsafe control
  • Communication between separate organisations or agencies governed by a named information-sharing process
  • Documentation failures where relevant information was otherwise reliably communicated
  • Failure to act after information was reliably communicated
Reports
124

Distinct published reports

Individual concerns
133

A report can raise multiple concerns

Date range
2013–2026

First to latest report issue date

Stated actions
193

Described in published responses

Reports over time

Reports over time

Reports about this concern issued each year.

* 2026 is projected from reports observed to 7 Sep 2026.

Most frequent recipients

Most frequent recipients

Reports about this concern sent to each recipient.

Department of Health and Social Care17
NHS England13
Care Quality Commission7
Barts Health NHS Trust4
Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust4
University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust4
Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust3
Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust3
Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust3
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust3
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence3
Royal London Hospital3
Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust3
Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust2
Betsi Cadwaladr University LHB2

Concerns and responses across reports

Only concerns grouped under this recurring concern are included. Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.

  1. Teesside

    AI-generated summary

    Noel Williams · Prevention of Future Deaths report

    This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.

    Report summary

    Noel Williams fell and sustained a fracture of the neck of the right femur on 2 December 2010, which led to her death despite surgical repair. The inquest identified a failure to communicate recent haemoglobin test results to the anaesthetist and surgeon, potentially affecting assessment of fitness for surgery and treatment planning.

    Read the report on judiciary.uk

    Source evidence

    How this individual concern was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Failure to communicate recent haemoglobin test results to clinicians assessing fitness for surgery

    Wider context from the report

    “During the course of the evidence given in this inquest evidence was received that there had been a failure of communication in communicating the results of haemoglobin level tests. It was further revealed by the evidence that the haemoglobin level was an important factor in considering a patient's fitness for surgery. The evidence further revealed that had the information concerning the most recent haemoglobin tests carried out on the deceased passed the surgery may have been delayed or alternative treatment plans put in place. Whilst the evidence did also indicate that there were risks in delaying surgery there nonetheless had been an admitted failure to communicate the results of recent haemoglobin tests to the anaesthetist and surgeon performing the index surgery. Clearly if the results of a haemoglobin test are an essential part of the assessment of fitness for surgery then the ability to communicate the most recent tests indicates a potential failure which could cause or contribute to future deaths. ”

    Source location

    Noel Williams · Prevention of Future Deaths report
    Page 1 · concerns

    Open source report
  2. Teesside

    AI-generated summary

    Andrew Ronald Hall · Prevention of Future Deaths report

    This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.

    Report summary

    Andrew Ronald Hall, an inmate at HM Holme House Prison, died on 27 March 2009 after causing incised wounds to his neck in a healthcare unit cell. The concerns included inadequate communication and documentation about his mental health and self-harm risk, failures in medication administration and observation, and deficiencies in CCTV quality, monitoring and staff arrangements.

    Read the report on judiciary.uk

    Source evidence

    How this individual concern was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Inadequate communication between the Mental Health Team and Healthcare Unit staff about condition and self-harm risk

    Wider context from the report

    “3. There was inadequate communication between members of the Mental Health Team and the Healthcare Unit staff as to the deceased’s perceived condition and level of risk of self-harm. ”

    Source location

    Andrew Ronald Hall · Prevention of Future Deaths report
    Page 1 · concerns

    Open source report

    Source evidence

    How this individual concern was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Inadequate communication about required observation between the Mental Health In Reach Team and mental care unit staff

    Wider context from the report

    “4. There was inadequate communication between the Mental Health In Reach Team and the mental care unit staff as to the type and level of observation required when the deceased was re-admitted to the Healthcare Unit on 23 March 2009. ”

    Source location

    Andrew Ronald Hall · Prevention of Future Deaths report
    Page 1 · concerns

    Open source report
  3. Avon

    AI-generated summary

    Ms. Kimberley Parsons · Prevention of Future Deaths report

    This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.

    Report summary

    Ms. Kimberley Parsons, who had a history of mental health problems and suicidal ideation, was found hanging in her room at Sycamore Ward on 16 March 2014 after repeated self-harm during her admission. She was transferred to intensive care but died from her injuries on 24 March 2014. Concerns included serious patient-safety deficiencies at Hillview Lodge, including incomplete observation records, shortcomings in resuscitation equipment and training, and deficiencies in care planning and pathways for patients with emotionally unstable personality disorder.

    Read the report on judiciary.uk

    Source evidence

    How this individual concern was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Failure to discuss proposed treatment with the consultant in charge

    Wider context from the report

    “(1) The suggestion made to Ms. Parsons, a person with a history of self-harming and who remained at high risk of self-harming, that she could be assisted with self-harming was not an approach to patient care and treatment which was supported by any reference to the results of any research published in a peer-reviewed professional journal. Therefore if this is a bona fide approach to treatment in a high risk patient then the Trust should be able to justify that this is a recognised and generally accepted practice by reference to the published literature and/or results of published research. (2) If the Trust cannot provide evidence to support this treatment being a recognised and generally accepted practice then the Trust must establish proper procedures for the introduction and use of novel treatments including the obtaining of any necessary ethical approvals. (3) This discussion with regard to ‘assisted self-harming’ was not discussed by the nurse with the consultant psychiatrist nor was any record made of the discussion. The Trust should undertake a proper review of any training with respect to these matters so as to ensure any discussions with regard to proposed treatment are had with the full knowledge and agreement of the consultant in charge and that those discussions are properly recorded. ”

    Source location

    Ms. Kimberley Parsons · Prevention of Future Deaths report
    Page 2 · concerns

    Open source report
  4. North London

    AI-generated summary

    Mone Jahni Karl White · Prevention of Future Deaths report

    This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.

    Report summary

    Mone Jahni Karl White, who had dilated cardiomyopathy and recurrent illness requiring hospital treatment, was admitted to Northwick Park Hospital on 5 July 2012 and became unresponsive on 7 July 2012 despite treatment attempts. The treating doctors had not seen specialist guidance about Mone’s clinical requirements, and the report raised concern about ensuring such advice is brought to the attention of all treating clinicians.

    Read the report on judiciary.uk

    Source evidence

    How this individual concern was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Failure to ensure that advice about clinical care for patients with special clinical requirements reaches all treating clinicians

    Wider context from the report

    “(1) The development of a flag system for patients, under the care of specialist hospitals, with special clinical requirements to ensure that advice about clinical care is brought to the attention of all treating clinicians. ”

    Source location

    Mone Jahni Karl White · Prevention of Future Deaths report
    Page 2 · concerns

    Open source report

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Implement and document a specialist-care flagging system, supported by a standard operating procedure and communicated across the Paediatric Directorate and Governance meeting.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “Further to the receipt of the above, I am able to confirm that The North West London Hospitals NHS Trust (NWLHT) has developed a flagging system for patients under the care of specialist hospitals with specialist clinical requirements. This will ensure the advice about the clinical care of these children is brought to the attention of all treating clinicians.”

    Source location

    2014-0031Response-2
    Page 1 · response
    Published 21 January 2014

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Improve the functionality of the implemented specialist-care flagging system.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “I am able to confirm that the flagging system has been implemented and further work is underway to improve its functionality.”

    Source location

    2014-0031Response-2
    Page 1 · response
    Published 21 January 2014

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent position was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Developing a specialist-patient flag system is a local matter; the NHS Trust must ensure relevant information is routinely accessed and acted upon.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “With regard to developing a flag system in specialist hospitals to ensure that advice about clinical care is brought to the attention of all treating clinicians, I consider that”

    Source location

    2014-0031-Response
    Page 2 · response
    Published 21 January 2014

    Open published response
  5. Berkshire

    AI-generated summary

    Mrs Nutbeam · Prevention of Future Deaths report

    This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.

    Report summary

    Mrs Nutbeam was struck by a car and later underwent debridement surgery for an infected leg wound. She vomited and aspirated during the procedure and subsequently died; the principal concerns were failures to transfer information about her vomiting between hospitals and to record or communicate vomiting symptoms before surgery, together with whether pre-operative questioning should routinely address recent vomiting.

    Read the report on judiciary.uk

    Source evidence

    How this individual concern was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Failure to communicate vomiting symptoms to the anaesthetist and surgeon

    Wider context from the report

    “(2) Despite clear evidence from the family that Mrs Nutbeam was vomiting on the ward shortly before her debridement procedure, there is no reference in the nursing notes and this information was not made known to the Anaesthetist nor Surgeon. The fact that she was vomiting prior to a surgical procedure should have been a matter of serious concern. ”

    Source location

    Mrs Nutbeam · Prevention of Future Deaths report
    Page 2 · concerns

    Open source report
  6. Manchester South

    AI-generated summary

    James Hadfield Withers · Prevention of Future Deaths report

    This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.

    Report summary

    James Hadfield Withers died on 27 January 2013 after surgery for invasive colonic adenocarcinoma, with the inquest recording congestive cardiac failure associated with diseased heart and the stress of the operation. Concerns included a five-day delay in cardiology review, missing medical and nursing notes, incorrect recording of DNAR status, and poor communication among staff and with the family.

    Read the report on judiciary.uk

    Source evidence

    How this individual concern was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Poor communication between clinical staff and with the patient’s family

    Wider context from the report

    “5. There was generally poor communication between nursing and medical staff (inter se) and between medical/nursing staff and the family of the patient. ”

    Source location

    James Hadfield Withers · Prevention of Future Deaths report
    Page 2 · concerns

    Open source report
  7. West Yorkshire (West)

    AI-generated summary

    Peter Patrick Adrian Barnes · Prevention of Future Deaths report

    This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.

    Report summary

    Peter Patrick Adrian Barnes died from asphyxia caused by hanging in the grounds of Cygnet Hospital, Wyke, while detained under Section 3 of the Mental Health Act 1983. Serious incidents known to nursing staff, including comments about suicide and marks on his neck, were not communicated to the Responsible Clinician, who granted unescorted leave. The report raised concerns about systems for communicating and auditing information and care decisions, involving families in care decisions, and sharing information with police when patients were absent without leave.

    Read the report on judiciary.uk

    Source evidence

    How this individual concern was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Inadequate communication of nursing staff information to Responsible Clinicians

    Wider context from the report

    “(1) The hospital’s systems by which information about patients relating to matters which had been observed by nursing staff - including in particular information about serious incidents - were communicated to the patients’ Responsible Clinician appeared to be inadequate to ensure that such information was full and/or accurate and/or up to date. ”

    Source location

    Peter Patrick Adrian Barnes · Prevention of Future Deaths report
    Page 2 · concerns

    Open source report

    Source evidence

    How this individual concern was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Failure to communicate Responsible Clinician care decisions to nursing staff appropriately and promptly

    Wider context from the report

    “(2) The hospital’s systems by which decisions about patients’ care made by the Responsible Clinician were communicated to nursing staff appeared not to have operated properly and accordingly may be inadequate to ensure that such information about such decisions is communicated in an appropriate and/or timely manner. ”

    Source location

    Peter Patrick Adrian Barnes · Prevention of Future Deaths report
    Page 2 · concerns

    Open source report
  8. East London

    AI-generated summary

    Joanne Manning · Prevention of Future Deaths report

    This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.

    Report summary

    Joanne Manning had a history of poly-substance abuse and methadone treatment, developed asthma and increasing breathlessness, and died from respiratory failure. The inquest conclusion attributed the respiratory failure to the combination of her respiratory disease, methadone, mirtazapine, cocaine and morphine. Concerns included a failure to provide the methadone-prescribing psychiatrist with information about her diagnosis and treatment, and the absence of a procedure ensuring clear communication between general practice and secondary care methadone providers.

    Read the report on judiciary.uk

    Source evidence

    How this individual concern was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Inappropriate reliance on patients to communicate key clinical information to methadone prescribers

    Wider context from the report

    “(1) Methadone is to be used with caution in a patient suffering from asthma. In order for the prescriber of methadone to exercise all due caution, they would have to be fully informed of the patient’s diagnosis and treatment by other healthcare professionals involved in the patient’s care. (2) Evidence was heard that methadone should be used with caution in a patient who is also receiving mirtazapine. (3) The psychiatrist prescribing the methadone requested further information about the patient’s medication and treatment from The Practice, Loxford. The letter from the psychiatrist was in general practice file. It was not however responded to. (4) The general practitioner who gave evidence at the Inquest agreed that the psychiatrist should have been fully informed, but she felt that the patient could tell the psychiatrist about her diagnosis and treatment. (4) The general practitioner was unable to comment on whether it would be appropriate for a patient who often attended appointments intoxicated, to inform the psychiatrist of key clinical information. It is my view that this would not be appropriate. (5) Evidence was given at the Inquest that there was no procedure or policy in place to ensure clear lines of communication between general practitioners to secondary care providers of methadone. It was agreed by the general practitioner and psychiatrist that such a policy/procedure would be desirable to protect patients in the future. ”

    Source location

    Joanne Manning · Prevention of Future Deaths report
    Page 2 · concerns

    Open source report
  9. Surrey

    AI-generated summary

    Frederick Davidson · Prevention of Future Deaths report

    This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.

    Report summary

    Frederick Davidson was admitted to Epsom General Hospital with aspiration pneumonia after recurrent seizures and later died following a pneumothorax caused by an unnoticed and incorrectly placed nasogastric tube. Concerns included inadequate documentation and communication, the use and checking of the tube, delayed recognition and treatment of the pneumothorax, and delays in radiology reporting.

    Read the report on judiciary.uk

    Source evidence

    How this individual concern was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Breakdown in communication between junior doctors and consultants

    Wider context from the report

    “Staff’s note keeping practices, in relation to the placement of the nasogastric tube, were inadequate. • The inappropriateness of the use of a naso gastric tube given Mr Davidson’s known history of advanced dementia and seizures • Unexplained and important gaps in the clinical notes • Breakdown in communication between the junior doctor and consultant. • The lack of recognition of the pneumothorax on the x ray and the subsequent delayed medical treatment. • The junior Doctor authorised feeding by way of the naso gastric tube prior to full checks being made. There was no note of this authorisation. • Delay in the forwarding and receipt of x ray reports from radiology ”

    Source location

    Frederick Davidson · Prevention of Future Deaths report
    Page 2 · concerns

    Open source report
  10. Manchester City

    AI-generated summary

    Anthony Bernard McCormick · Prevention of Future Deaths report

    This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.

    Report summary

    Anthony Bernard McCormick was admitted to hospital with gastrointestinal symptoms, vomiting, lethargy, fever and rigors, and was later found to have liver abscesses and gallstones. He underwent surgery but developed pneumonia and sepsis and died on 31 May 2011; the post-mortem found extensive empyema and sepsis. Concerns included delays in urgent admission, diagnosis, specialist referral and surgery, failures in communication and clinical review, and gaps in appropriate antibiotic treatment.

    Read the report on judiciary.uk

    Source evidence

    How this individual concern was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Failures in communication of significant clinical information

    Wider context from the report

    “1. When the results of the blood tests taken at Macclesfield Hospital on 27 January 2011 were received this should have resulted in an urgent admission to hospital and further investigations undertaken to establish the source of the symptoms. This did not happen and suggests failures in communication and senior clinical review and appreciation of the significance of the presenting symptoms. 2. There was a significant failure to appreciate the seriousness of the condition, the need for urgent treatment and associated raised mortality risks upon the receipt of the results of the CT scan on 28 February 2011 showing the presence of multiple liver abscesses and gallstones. These are all factors which it would be reasonable to expect senior clinicians to appreciate and plan accordingly. ”

    Source location

    Anthony Bernard McCormick · Prevention of Future Deaths report
    Page 3 · concerns

    Open source report
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Data last updated 7 September 2026