Recurring concern

Failure to supervise clinicians during clinical work

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First reported 13 Dec 2013•Latest report 17 Dec 2025

Definition

What this concern includes

Includes failures of supervision dedicated to overseeing clinicians during clinical work, including supervision of operating surgeons, locum clinicians, staff-grade anaesthetists and preceptee nurses during medication administration.

Not included

  • Excludes supervision of patients, residents, service users or members of the public.
  • Excludes failures of clinical assessment, handover, communication, referral or escalation where inadequate clinician supervision is not the shared unsafe condition.
  • Excludes generic workforce, staffing or training deficiencies not explicitly tied to supervision of clinicians during clinical work.
Reports
22

Distinct published reports

Individual concerns
23

A report can raise multiple concerns

Date range
2013–2025

First to latest report issue date

Stated actions
29

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 Care8
NHS England4
Care Quality Commission3
General Medical Council2
Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust2
Royal College of Anaesthetists2
University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust2
Alternative Futures Group Limited1
Association Of Anaesthetists (Great Britain & Ireland)1
Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust1
Difficult Airway Society1
East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust1
Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine1
Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust1
Frimley Park Hospital1

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. Manchester City

    AI-generated summary

    Mrs Kathleen Cooper · 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 Kathleen Cooper, aged 73, underwent elective sigmoid colectomy and later deteriorated, suffering an intra-operative cardiac arrest during emergency surgery on 11 July 2016. The report identified medical and nursing neglect, including communication and record-keeping failures, inadequate supervision, inaccurate observations and early warning scores, delayed tests and treatment, and failures to escalate deterioration. Concerns also related to out-of-hours and weekend care and the patient-safety impact of split-site hospital 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

    Poor ward-level leadership and supervision of nurses

    Wider context from the report

    “3. The RCA and the inquest process identified a significant number of errors, omissions and missed opportunities to treat the deceased – all of which, on the balance of probabilities, could and would have improved the deceased’s chances of survival, despite her pre-existing co-morbidities. Most of the failings identified in this case have been recognised in previous RCA’s conducted by the Trust over the last 6-12 months. Despite evidence as to ‘lesson learned’ action plans set etc. flowing therefrom, there appears to be little (if any) timely progress being made in terms of improving/driving up care standards and preventing future deaths. My concerns relate to the following in particular: - Poor communication by/between clinicians and nurses - Poor record keeping – medical and nursing - Poor leadership/supervision of nurses - Ward/Matron level - Inadequate supervision by on-call consultants of junior colleagues - Incorrectly calculated early warning scores - Baseline observations not recorded/inaccurately record/missing vital parameters (impacting upon the calculation of early warning scores) - outwith Trust guidance/deviation from the same not clinically justified - Inaccurate fluid balance charts (persistent basic arithmetical errors/lack of recording) - The absence of clinical judgement as a result of the over-reliance placed upon tools such as the early warning scores - Failure to repeat tests such as bloods and to act upon the results accordingly - Failure to escalate (by doctors and nurses) when signs of deterioration/change in the patient’s clinical condition become apparent - Delays in arranging urgent/additional tests and treatment (in this case radiological CT scanning, bloods and IV antibiotics) ”

    Source location

    Mrs Kathleen Cooper · 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

    Inadequate on-call consultant supervision of junior colleagues

    Wider context from the report

    “3. The RCA and the inquest process identified a significant number of errors, omissions and missed opportunities to treat the deceased – all of which, on the balance of probabilities, could and would have improved the deceased’s chances of survival, despite her pre-existing co-morbidities. Most of the failings identified in this case have been recognised in previous RCA’s conducted by the Trust over the last 6-12 months. Despite evidence as to ‘lesson learned’ action plans set etc. flowing therefrom, there appears to be little (if any) timely progress being made in terms of improving/driving up care standards and preventing future deaths. My concerns relate to the following in particular: - Poor communication by/between clinicians and nurses - Poor record keeping – medical and nursing - Poor leadership/supervision of nurses - Ward/Matron level - Inadequate supervision by on-call consultants of junior colleagues - Incorrectly calculated early warning scores - Baseline observations not recorded/inaccurately record/missing vital parameters (impacting upon the calculation of early warning scores) - outwith Trust guidance/deviation from the same not clinically justified - Inaccurate fluid balance charts (persistent basic arithmetical errors/lack of recording) - The absence of clinical judgement as a result of the over-reliance placed upon tools such as the early warning scores - Failure to repeat tests such as bloods and to act upon the results accordingly - Failure to escalate (by doctors and nurses) when signs of deterioration/change in the patient’s clinical condition become apparent - Delays in arranging urgent/additional tests and treatment (in this case radiological CT scanning, bloods and IV antibiotics) ”

    Source location

    Mrs Kathleen Cooper · Prevention of Future Deaths report
    Page 2 · concerns

    Open source report
  2. Kent (North-West)

    AI-generated summary

    Frances Olwyn Coppaccini · 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

    Frances Olwyn Coppaccini died on 9 October 2012 at Tunbridge Wells Hospital following the birth of her child. The report raised concerns about retained placental tissue after caesarean section, failure to follow the post-partum haemorrhage protocol, supervision of anaesthetic staff, delays in obtaining urgent specialist help, and inadequate hospital note keeping.

    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 supervise staff grade anaesthetists

    Wider context from the report

    “3. Supervision – What action has been taken to ensure that staff grade anaesthetists are supervised and that both the staff grade and supervisor are provided details of the respective identities of the parties involved. ”

    Source location

    Frances Olwyn Coppaccini · Prevention of Future Deaths report
    Page 1 · 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

    Establish electronic rota and induction arrangements identifying anaesthetic supervision, consultants and emergency contact routes for staff-grade, trainee and locum anaesthetists.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “All Anaesthetists have an electronic rota app on their phones and can identify who is the staff grade on for Labour Ward and who is the consultant covering.”

    Source location

    2017-0020-Response-by-Maidstone-and-Tunbridge-Wells-NHS-Trust
    Page 4 · response
    Published 19 February 2017

    Open published response
  3. West Sussex

    AI-generated summary

    Leilani Chute · 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

    Leilani Chute was delivered by Caesarean section after an unsuccessful trial of instrumental delivery and was in a moribund condition, with terminal bradycardia and no other signs of life. The inquest concluded that she died shortly after birth from hypoxic brain injury and umbilical cord occlusion. The principal concerns were the use of an unendorsed practice of manually pushing back the cervix and inadequate disclosure of relevant risks when obtaining consent for instrumental delivery rather than proceeding directly to Caesarean section.

    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 consultant knowledge of manual cervical replacement

    Wider context from the report

    “(1) That the practice of manually pushing back the cervix was one adopted by two junior doctors. This practice was not in accordance with standard training and was conducted without the knowledge of the consultant; ”

    Source location

    Leilani Chute · 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

    Provide initial supervisory feedback to the two trainee doctors involved in the delivery.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “ii. Feedback for the two individuals involved in baby LC’s delivery who used the practice of manually pushing back the cervix”

    Source location

    2016-0251-Response-by-Western-Sussex-Hospital-NHS-Trust
    Page 2 · response
    Published 15 July 2016

    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

    Hold formal feedback meetings involving the trainee doctors and their former and new educational supervisors.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “Initial feedback with the supervising consultants has taken place for both the trainee doctors who used this procedure prior to them leaving the Trust. Further formal meetings are scheduled to take place that include their educational supervisors from their time at WSHT and their new supervisors. Your concerns will also be shared with the deanery to ensure there is wider learning.”

    Source location

    2016-0251-Response-by-Western-Sussex-Hospital-NHS-Trust
    Page 2 · response
    Published 15 July 2016

    Open published response
  4. Preston and West Lancashire

    AI-generated summary

    Andrew Gus PEEBLES · 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

    The circumstances of Andrew Gus Peebles’s death are said to be set out in the attached summing up, jury findings and conclusion; the inquest concluded on 18 May 2016. The substantive concerns included failures to record or undertake mental-health assessments and referrals, inadequate review of relevant documentation, and insufficient evidence of supervision or retraining after the concerns were identified.

    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

    Lack of supervision or retraining for RMNs remaining in clinical posts

    Wider context from the report

    “(8) RMN remains in the clinical post within the trust and does not appear to have undergone any supervision or retraining ”

    Source location

    Andrew Gus PEEBLES · Prevention of Future Deaths report
    Page 1 · concerns

    Open source report
  5. Milton Keynes

    AI-generated summary

    Ethan Robert Johnson · 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

    Ethan Johnson was born following an urgent Caesarean section, with no respiratory effort or heart rate, and died after intensive care treatment was withdrawn. The concerns included a lack of effective leadership, support and escalation when an abnormal CTG was identified. The inquest concluded that delayed delivery resulted in a lost opportunity to deliver him earlier and provide further medical 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

    Failure to provide effective senior support for abnormal CTG monitoring

    Wider context from the report

    “(1)That the most junior member of staff (midwife) was left to look after ████████ even though the CTG trace was deemed abnormal. The midwife felt unsupported. ”

    Source location

    Ethan Robert Johnson · 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

    Strengthen newly qualified midwives’ preceptorship through supernumerary supported practice with experienced senior midwives.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “In response to your concern, however, the new Head of Midwifery has strengthened the preceptorship period for newly qualified midwives. This means that they are supernumerary for several weeks and will be supported by experienced senior practice development midwives, whilst being familiarised in departmental processes.”

    Source location

    2015-0393-Response-by-Milton-Keynes-University-Hospitals-NHS
    Page 1 · response
    Published 29 September 2015

    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

    Provide two-hourly Band 7 coordinator rounding for patients receiving one-to-one care.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “Furthermore, 2 hourly ‘intentional rounding’ of all patients undergoing 1:1 care (antenatal, labour, and postnatal) by a Band 7 Co-ordinator is now in place to ensure that appropriate care is being given through support of the patient’s individual midwife.”

    Source location

    2015-0393-Response-by-Milton-Keynes-University-Hospitals-NHS
    Page 1 · response
    Published 29 September 2015

    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

    Clarify staff responsibilities for patient reviews, senior-help escalation and upward-escalation timescales in writing.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “On the ward the CTG did not require immediate intervention, so when the doctor had not attended within a reasonable timescale it was escalated appropriately. We have written to every member of staff clarifying their responsibilities if they are asked to review a patient, as well as what to do if senior help has been unable to attend. This includes timescales for upward escalation.”

    Source location

    2015-0393-Response-by-Milton-Keynes-University-Hospitals-NHS
    Page 2 · response
    Published 29 September 2015

    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

    Introduce ‘fresh eyes/ears’ stickers to ensure hourly senior review of intermittent and continuous fetal monitoring.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “‘Fresh eyes/ears’ stickers have been introduced to ensure hourly senior review of both intermittent and continuous fetal monitoring.”

    Source location

    2015-0393-Response-by-Milton-Keynes-University-Hospitals-NHS
    Page 2 · response
    Published 29 September 2015

    Open published response
  6. Central Lincolnshire

    AI-generated summary

    Thor Harrison Dalhaug · 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

    Thor Dalhaug was delivered by caesarean section on 23 September 2013 in poor condition after difficulties delivering his deeply engaged head, and died approximately one hour after birth. The report identified concerns including lack of supervision of the operating surgeon, use of an inappropriate forceps technique, inadequate contemporaneous records and shortcomings in the internal investigation and disclosure of the circumstances of his death.

    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 supervise an operating surgeon during a complex twin delivery

    Wider context from the report

    “(I) The failure to supervise the operating surgeon on her first day at work for this complex twin delivery. It was stated in evidence that the policy of inducting new staff had changed but that this had not been enshrined in any formal document. Such a document should be produced and a copy submitted to myself. ”

    Source location

    Thor Harrison Dalhaug · 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 the comprehensive junior-doctor obstetrics and gynaecology induction programme, including orientation, competency assessments, guidance access, support contacts, follow-up and supernumerary work.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “As indicated in the evidence heard at inquest, the Trust has now taken various steps to significantly reduce the chance of such a situation occurring again. In particular, all junior doctors will now:-”

    Source location

    2015-0063-Response-by-United-Lincolnshire-Hospitals-NHS-Trust
    Page 2 · response
    Published 6 March 2015

    Open published response
  7. Inner West London

    AI-generated summary

    Ms Pauline Verona Edwards · 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 Pauline Verona Edwards, a healthy 49-year-old woman, died at St Georges Hospital on 15 December 2010 after developing laryngospasm, hypoxia, cardiac arrest and irreversible brain damage following surgery for an ovarian cyst. The report identified concerns that EU-trained doctors’ qualifications could be accepted without equivalent training and experience, and that hospitals might consequently allow such doctors to practise unsupervised, increasing risks to patients.

    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 provide appropriate supervision for EU-trained doctors

    Wider context from the report

    “(1) That UK Hospitals are forced by EU law to accept the qualifications of EU trained doctors even though such doctors may not have the same training and experience as an equivalently graded doctor in the UK (2) That UK Hospitals are unaware of this and thus allow such doctors to practice unsupervised and thus put patients’ lives at increased risk. ”

    Source location

    Ms Pauline Verona Edwards · Prevention of Future Deaths report
    Page 3 · concerns

    Open source report

    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

    Health Education England is the appropriate body to comment on St George’s training and supervision programme.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “Health Education England (HEE) is the appropriate body to comment on the training and supervision programme run by St. George’s hospital. They consider this induction programme, which features increased initial supervision and mandatory sign-off for non-UK trained staff before they can go onto any rota appears thorough and could be disseminated as an example of good practice. However, whilst HEE provides national, strategic leadership on education and training that is responsive to patient’s changing needs, primary responsibility for induction arrangements for clinical staff rests with individual employers.”

    Source location

    2014-0547-Response-by-Department-of-Health
    Page 3 · response
    Published 19 December 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

    Primary responsibility for induction arrangements for clinical staff rests with individual employers.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “Health Education England (HEE) is the appropriate body to comment on the training and supervision programme run by St. George’s hospital. They consider this induction programme, which features increased initial supervision and mandatory sign-off for non-UK trained staff before they can go onto any rota appears thorough and could be disseminated as an example of good practice. However, whilst HEE provides national, strategic leadership on education and training that is responsive to patient’s changing needs, primary responsibility for induction arrangements for clinical staff rests with individual employers.”

    Source location

    2014-0547-Response-by-Department-of-Health
    Page 3 · response
    Published 19 December 2014

    Open published response
  8. Brighton and Hove

    AI-generated summary

    Maureen Annette ELLETT · 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

    The report concerns the death of Maureen Annette ELLETT; the circumstances are referred to the Record of Inquest. Concerns included incomplete emergency department documentation and observations, inadequate clinical planning and review, staffing and fatigue issues, and shortcomings in ECG and observation procedures. The report states that the cumulative effect of these issues was considered catastrophic by the inquest.

    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 account for junior doctor unfamiliarity during senior review

    Wider context from the report

    “(3) No notice appears to have been taken that the junior Doctor, discussing with the Senior was an Agency Doctor who had only worked in this busy department on two previous shifts in the last three weeks. Her last experience in an Emergency Department had been eleven months earlier when she did her rotation training. It is suggested that if the Junior Doctor is not a regular member of staff this should be noted when the Senior Review takes place to ensure that no mistakes, due to inexperience or lack of knowledge of the Hospital's own systems is impinging on the Junior Doctors work. ”

    Source location

    Maureen Annette ELLETT · Prevention of Future Deaths report
    Page 1 · 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

    Remind senior clinicians to exercise extreme caution when reviewing patients assessed by unfamiliar or locum junior staff without personally seeing them.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “3. We agree that it is particularly important for senior staff to be vigilant when working with less experienced agency junior staff. All the Emergency Department consultants and other senior doctors in the department have been asked, in the light of these events, to reflect upon their current approach, practice and vigilance. These clinicians have been strongly reminded that extreme caution should be taken if a patient is not being seen in person by them, after assessment by any locum staff who are not familiar with the department or any locum not previously known to the senior clinician.”

    Source location

    2014-0473-Response-by-Brighton-Sussex-University-Hospitals-NHS-Trust
    Page 2 · response
    Published 31 October 2014

    Open published response
  9. Surrey

    AI-generated summary

    Maria De Oliveria Alva LOPES · 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

    Maria De Oliveria Alva LOPES died on 9 September 2012 after developing severe sepsis from an obstructing ureteric stone, followed by septic shock, multiorgan failure and rhabdomyolysis associated with propofol-related infusion syndrome. The principal concerns included delayed recognition and escalation of sepsis, delays in intensive care admission and treatment, inadequate supervision and control of propofol use, and insufficient monitoring for propofol-related complications.

    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 supervision of out-of-hours urology trainees

    Wider context from the report

    “3. The overall supervision of out of hours urology trainees within the current system ”

    Source location

    Maria De Oliveria Alva LOPES · 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

    Provide weekend urology review and supervision through consultant ward rounds, registrar emergency assessments, case discussion and consultant availability.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “When the consultant urologists' on-call rota was established covering North Hampshire Hospital, Royal Surrey County Hospital and Frimley Park Hospital, the agreement was that trusts would make their own arrangements for review of in-patients/emergencies at the weekend. I believe that we have robust arrangements at Frimley Park Hospital, with the consultant on-call on Friday night available to see admissions and a Saturday morning ward round by Specialist Registrar or equivalent who reviews all emergency admissions and in-patients. These cases are then discussed with the consultant who had been on-call on the Friday night. A Frimley Park Hospital consultant is available to come to see these patients. The on-call consultant on the rota is then available for advice and we”

    Source location

    2014-0325-Response-by-Frimley-Park-Hospital
    Page 1 · response
    Published 11 July 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

    Review the three-hospital urology on-call services and develop an action plan toward seven-day compliance.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “This has set out standards which would mean that all emergency in patients would be assessed by a suitable consultant within six hours, (during periods of consultant presence on an acute ward) and, at other times, must have a thorough clinical assessment by a suitable consultant within 14 hours of arrival in hospital. Implementation of this guidance is over the next three years, with a submission of action plans in 2014/15, implementation of the greatest impact changes in 2015/16 and compliance by 2016/17. These standards represent a paradigm shift from the usual on-call arrangements concerning urology in the majority of hospitals in this country. The three trusts will need to undertake a review of the on-call services to develop an action plan towards becoming compliant with 7-day working.”

    Source location

    2014-0325-Response-by-Frimley-Park-Hospital
    Page 1 · response
    Published 11 July 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

    Existing arrangements provide safe, supervised out-of-hours trainee practice through registrar discussions and consultant advice or review when required.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “2. A general lack of knowledge or implementation of published ‘on-call’ national guidelines As mentioned above, there are no specific on-call guidelines produced nationally for urology and the Keogh recommendations were published within the last year. These have therefore come into force subsequent to Mrs Lopez's tragic death and it is intended that consultants from all three hospitals meet to discuss future arrangements for on-call. The current on-call arrangements at Frimley Park Hospital have operated safely for over ten years and, by discussing cases with the registrar on Saturday and reviewing collaborative decisions made by the registrars the next day, we are able to provide supervision of the registrars. In addition, the on-call consultant for all three hospitals is able to review patients, if requested.”

    Source location

    2014-0325-Response-by-Frimley-Park-Hospital
    Page 2 · response
    Published 11 July 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

    Consultant-delivered emergency services with regular inpatient ward rounds require additional consultant appointments before compliance can be achieved.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “3. The overall supervision of out-of-hours urology trainees within the system The overall supervision of out-of-hours' urology trainees within the current system is specific to the arrangements within each Trust. Trainees have access to consultant advice and review, if necessary, 24/7 during the on-call weekend. Provision of consultant-delivered emergency service with regular in-patient ward rounds will require additional consultant appointments to allow trusts to become compliant with Keogh. There is wide variety of provision of urology cover across the country, with approximately 50% of urology departments dependent on general surgical middle grade support. We are fortunate to have urology middle grade support for our emergencies. It is recognised by BAUS that this is an issue that will need to be addressed in the next couple of years.”

    Source location

    2014-0325-Response-by-Frimley-Park-Hospital
    Page 2 · response
    Published 11 July 2014

    Open published response
  10. Leicester City and South Leicestershire

    AI-generated summary

    Lalitab en Jayantibhai Patel · 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 Patel underwent elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy on 4 May 2012, during which inappropriate dissection damaged a vessel near the common bile duct. The vessel ruptured, causing a massive secondary haemorrhage, subsequent complications and hypoxic brain injury, followed by her death on 20 December 2012; the principal concern was inadequate systems for assessing and supervising locum consultant surgeons, creating a risk of similar events elsewhere.

    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 provide supervision proportionate to identified competence concerns for locum consultants

    Wider context from the report

    “(1) The surgeon who had responsibility for the elective cholecystectomy was a Locum Consultant Surgeon and was in the second week of his 4 weeks contract. Evidence was heard that he had been appointed via an agency following which he undertook two practical assessments at the University Hospitals Leicester. In summary, there were two main issues highlighted by both assessing Consultants on two separate days resulting in a decision to restrict the Locum Consultant Surgeon to conducting routine laparoscopic cholecystectomies. However, as this was a Consultant grade Locum, no other supervision was provided in respect of the cases under his clinical management. Evidence revealed that the systems in place at the material time for signing off a locum Consultant as competent to undertake independent practice were not as robust as they should have been. The inquest heard that University Hospitals Leicester have now changed their recruitment process for Locums and that Locums must be recruited by the ‘Locum Bookers’ team in accordance with Trust policy. In addition the processes for signing off a locum consultant as competent are more robust. However, it is understood that in other areas the practice for appointing locums is not so robust and mirrors the practice undertaken at the material time. Accordingly, there is a real risk that what happened in this case could happen elsewhere. ”

    Source location

    Lalitab en Jayantibhai Patel · Prevention of Future Deaths report
    Page 1 · concerns

    Open source report
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Data last updated 7 September 2026