Recurring concern

Unreliable complex case management

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First reported 9 Jan 2015•Latest report 15 May 2026

Definition

What this concern includes

Includes failures in explicitly complex case-management arrangements, including inadequate progress, under-use of enhanced case-management systems, absence or unclear allocation of a designated case manager, insufficient monitoring and liaison, and failure to convene or use dedicated complex-case coordination arrangements where these are intended to manage complex or uncertain cases.

Not included

  • Excludes generic delays, staffing, communication or documentation deficiencies where complex case management is not the identified unsafe condition.
  • Excludes ordinary case management for routine or non-complex cases.
  • Excludes failures belonging to a separately named pathway, safeguarding system, placement process or clinical condition when that named concern provides the more specific supported boundary.
  • Excludes general multi-agency ownership or care-coordination failures that do not specifically concern complex case management.
Reports
8

Distinct published reports

Individual concerns
9

A report can raise multiple concerns

Date range
2015–2026

First to latest report issue date

Stated actions
12

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 Care3
NHS England2
Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust1
East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust1
Gartree Prison1
Greater Manchester1
Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust1
Home Office1
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust1
Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust1
Ministry of Justice1
NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board1
NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Integrated Care Board1
Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust1
Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust1

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 South

    AI-generated summary

    Edith May Jones · 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

    Edith May Jones had limited mobility and underlying health conditions, including heart failure, and developed a deteriorating sacral pressure ulcer. She was admitted to hospital with an infected stage 4 pressure ulcer, did not improve despite intravenous antibiotics, and died on 17 October 2025; the stated cause was heart failure exacerbated by the infected ulcer. Concerns included poor District Nursing documentation, limited managerial oversight, delayed escalation, shortcomings in the gateway referral triage process, and ineffective GP triage of referrals and family information.

    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

    Insufficient managerial oversight of complex District Nursing cases

    Wider context from the report

    “2. There was little evidence of oversight by District Nursing Team managers of how complex cases such as Mrs Jones were being managed; ”

    Source location

    Edith May Jones · Prevention of Future Deaths report
    Page 4 · 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

    Introduce Team Leader of the Day and Coordinator of the Day roles to provide senior support and clear escalation routes.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “Since then, several developments have strengthened the service's response to deteriorating patients:”

    Source location

    Response from Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care
    Page 3 · response
    Published 14 August 2026

    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

    Increase caseload reviews and triage to prioritise patients with complex, frail, end-of-life or changing clinical needs.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “• Increased use of caseload reviews and triage processes to ensure patients with complex needs, frailty, end-of-life care requirements and changing clinical conditions are appropriately prioritised.”

    Source location

    Response from Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care
    Page 4 · response
    Published 14 August 2026

    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

    Recruit and introduce a senior District Nursing Caseload Facilitator role to strengthen caseload oversight, patient flow and care planning.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “The Division has also approved the introduction of a senior District Nursing Caseload Facilitator role, designed to provide strengthened oversight of caseload demand, patient flow and the consistency of care planning. This role will support teams to organise, review and prioritise caseloads more effectively, ensuring that all patients have clear plans, defined outcomes and timely progression through the service. At the time of writing, recruitment to this post is underway and interviews are taking place, reflecting the Division’s commitment to further enhancing safe practice, operational grip and accountable caseload management.”

    Source location

    Response from Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care
    Page 4 · response
    Published 14 August 2026

    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

    Establish a District Nursing Improvement Group to lead work on triage, caseload management, documentation, escalation and monthly audited assurance reporting.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “The Divisional Nurse and AHP Director for Integrated Care recently set up the District Nursing Improvement Group providing strategic leadership and governance oversight for strengthening safety, quality and operational reliability across District Nursing. The groups programme of work is centred on improving the triage process to ensure consistent prioritisation and risk-based decision making, enhancing caseload management so workload is balanced, transparent and responsive and raising documentation standards to support accurate clinical records, defensible practice and effective information sharing. A further priority is embedding clearer expectations for recognising”

    Source location

    Response from Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care
    Page 6 · response
    Published 14 August 2026

    Open published response
  2. Manchester South

    AI-generated summary

    Dr Richard George Hardman · 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

    Dr Richard George Hardman had complex swallowing and respiratory problems associated with prior radiotherapy and Parkinson’s disease. He was admitted to hospital on 7 August 2023 with aspiration pneumonia, and the inquest concluded that he died from aspiration pneumonia arising from natural disease and recognised effects of necessary medical treatment. The principal concern was the absence of a mechanism for coordinating care across different medical disciplines and hospital sites under the leadership of a single practitioner.

    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 a mechanism for multidisciplinary medical coordination under a single practitioner

    Wider context from the report

    “The absence of any obvious mechanism for the various medical disciplines across different hospital sites to be brought together in complex medical cases under the leadership of a single practitioner in a position to evaluate and co-ordinate the best approach and combination of medical care for the patient. ”

    Source location

    Dr Richard George Hardman · 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

    Continue progressing the appointment of care coordinators for patients with complex medical needs.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “In terms of the specialist services provided by the North West Ventilation Unit there is a Long-Term Ventilation Service (LTVS). When dealing with patients with complex medical issues, the LTVS provides regular and "ad hoc" urgent nurse-led and consultant-led appointments. Patients have access to a 24h helpline. When their patients are admitted to another hospital, we have a dedicated staff member to provide advice to those care teams. For frail patients we provide home visits. These complex cases are discussed at the weekly multidisciplinary team meeting that are minuted, and we communicate with other services regularly. This service recognises the need to appoint care coordinators for patients with complex medical needs and progress to achieve this continues.”

    Source location

    Response from NHS England and GMIC
    Page 3 · response
    Published 29 April 2024

    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

    Processes for managing complex patients across Greater Manchester specialties are better addressed by the Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “We note that you have also addressed your Report to the Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board (GM ICB) and they are better placed to address your concern regarding processes across the Greater Manchester system for management of patients with complex medical needs, under the care of different specialties. NHS England has however engaged with GM ICB on the concerns raised.”

    Source location

    Response from NHS England and GMIC
    Page 4 · response
    Published 29 April 2024

    Open published response
  3. Nottinghamshire

    AI-generated summary

    Thomas Jayamaha · 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

    Thomas Jayamaha died by suicide after taking Pentobarbital ordered from a website abroad. He had Autism Spectrum Disorder, longstanding mental health difficulties, suicidal ideation and previous self-harm or suicide attempts, alongside other reported vulnerabilities. The principal concerns were delayed progress on the Trust’s Autism Strategy, insufficient progress with complex case management, and the Serious Incident Investigation process.

    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

    Insufficient progress with complex case management

    Wider context from the report

    “2. Insufficient progress with Complex case management ”

    Source location

    Thomas Jayamaha · 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

    Establish weekday multidisciplinary daily triage meetings across Adult Mental Health and Local Mental Health Teams for complex referral decisions.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “To safeguard against this in the future a clinician-led triage assessment is being rolled out in a staged manner across the teams (as part of our Transformation Programme). In addition, a Monday – Friday, Daily Triage Meeting attended by leads from multiple teams within the Directorate, is also being introduced across all Adult Mental Health (AMH), Local Mental Health Teams (LMHTs).”

    Source location

    Response from Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
    Page 2 · response
    Published 14 April 2023

    Open published response
  4. East Riding and Hull

    AI-generated summary

    Jessica Louise LAVERACK “Jessie” · 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

    Jessica Louise LAVERACK “Jessie” had a history of domestic abuse, anxiety and alcohol dependence, and reported suicidal ideation and self-harm before her death. She was found on 2 February 2018, and the medical cause of death was recorded as hanging. The report identified concerns about the lack of a coordinated approach and information sharing between agencies, including for vulnerable people who did not meet the MARAC high-risk threshold.

    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 national-level complex case forums

    Wider context from the report

    “(9) If not already in place, to consider complex case forums on a national level. ”

    Source location

    Jessica Louise LAVERACK “Jessie” · 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

    The current MARAC model provides an effective, flexible forum for agencies to manage domestic abuse safeguarding risks without statutory duties.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “The MARAC model is designed to provide an effective multi-agency response to manage the risks to victims of domestic abuse. There is a concern that statutory duties can be a blunt tool and that making MARACs statutory risks fostering a culture of minimum compliance rather than genuine local ownership and accountability. More importantly, placing MARACs on a statutory basis also risks locking down a particular model of multi-agency working and may stifle the development of local, innovative models to manage safeguarding risks, such as those with complex needs. The Government believes the current MARAC model gives agencies flexibility in the actions they put forward to protect those at risk of harm from domestic abuse. The cases discussed at MARAC are, by their very nature, demanding and complex. We believe the MARAC process can provide an effective forum for managing those risks.”

    Source location

    Response from Home Office (2)
    Page 3 · response
    Published 3 November 2022

    Open published response
  5. East London

    AI-generated summary

    Juliet Saunders · 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

    Juliet Saunders, a 25-year-old woman with Cornelia De Lange Syndrome and a profound learning disability, attended hospital on 7 March 2020 with abdominal pain and vomiting and died at home the following day. The report identified concerns including misinterpretation of abdominal x-rays, failure to diagnose intestinal obstruction, inadequate escalation and supervision, departures from transfer and discharge procedures, lack of safety-netting advice, and insufficient support for patients with learning disabilities at weekends.

    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 of systems to provide supervision and escalation of complex cases involving junior doctors

    Wider context from the report

    “3. The failure of systems within the department to allow for the supervision of junior doctors to ensure that complex cases are escalated to more experienced staff. ”

    Source location

    Juliet Saunders · 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

    Use Care Flow to require consultant sign-off for specified patients and senior review before learning-disability patient discharge.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “• There has been reinforcement with the junior staff that there can be no handovers between FY2 level doctors and any handover should be to a Tier 2 doctor at a minimum. There is a dedicated handover Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). We have now installed a new IT system called Care Flow which requires Consultant sign off for specific patients such as patients with learning disability, cardiac chest pain and all patients that were seen by junior Doctors; i.e. FY2 and SHO.”

    Source location

    2021-0157-Response-from-Queens-Hospital_Published
    Page 3 · response
    Published 18 May 2021

    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

    Deliver teaching on diagnostic overshadowing and senior escalation, and add safeguarding and diagnostic overshadowing to the induction pack.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “• There has been a teaching session based on this case which highlighted the need to discuss patients with a learning disability with a senior team due to the risk of diagnostic overshadowing. This was presented in the January 2021 Mortality meeting. This included reference to escalation and consideration of CT scan and specific reference to Cornelia de Lange syndrome.”

    Source location

    2021-0157-Response-from-Queens-Hospital_Published
    Page 4 · response
    Published 18 May 2021

    Open published response
  6. Manchester West

    AI-generated summary

    William Myers · 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

    William Myers, aged 79, was unlawfully killed; the medical cause of death was multiple stab wounds. The principal concerns related to inconsistent and inappropriate community care of his attacker, including failures to coordinate treatment, recognise warning signs, share relevant information, act on recommendations for Mental Health Act assessment, and maintain adequate records.

    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 identify complex cases early and assign them to an appropriately qualified psychiatrist

    Wider context from the report

    “Overall, the lingering concern is complex such as this are not identified early enough and managed by an identified and appropriately qualified psychiatrist. There should be a clear delineation of all the clinicians and agencies involved, by way of periodic case conferences with reasons and decisions made being recorded and circulated. The scarcity of inpatient psychiatric beds fuels the concern that complex individuals are being treated in the community rather than controlling the risks they present by having them remain in hospital until such crimes as their condition has been shown to have stabilised. ”

    Source location

    William Myers · 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

    Develop forensic in-reach support for high-risk community patients, including timely advice, risk management and second opinions.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “In addition we are working with colleagues in the Trust’s forensic services to develop in-reach forensic support in the management of high-risk/MoJ patients in the community, especially in areas such as Central West CMHT with a higher proportion of such patients. This will facilitate improved risk assessment and management, forensic opinion and case conferences.”

    Source location

    2018-0022-Response-by-Greater-Manchester-Mental-Health-NHS-Trust
    Page 3 · response
    Published 14 March 2018

    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

    Complete caseload reviews covering patient numbers and complexity within the enhanced community model.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “The Trust transformational work streams have also identified the importance of the enhanced community model. One key element of this is to complete a caseload review in terms of both number and complexity of patients. We have also identified enhanced supervision of caseloads and review of complexity to ensure that workers are appropriately supported. As part of this work we have also identified the need to reduce consultant only caseloads significantly to ensure that the consultants are fully engaged with the multi-disciplinary teams for discussions on zoning, risk and prioritisation of high risk patients.”

    Source location

    2018-0022-Response-by-Greater-Manchester-Mental-Health-NHS-Trust
    Page 4 · response
    Published 14 March 2018

    Open published response
  7. Leicester City and South Leicestershire

    AI-generated summary

    Ahmedreza Fathi · 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

    Ahmedreza Fathi was a serving prisoner at HMP Gartree who died by suicide in May 2015 through a combination of plastic bag asphyxia and multi-drug toxicity. The report identified concerns about inadequate case planning, fragmented communication and information-sharing, inappropriate observation levels, and insufficient response to an earlier overdose.

    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 robust, effective and event-responsive complex case planning

    Wider context from the report

    “1. Healthcare complex case planning was not robust or effective, and was not reviewed or updated in response to subsequent events. Multi-disciplinary team meetings, if they took place, were not formalised and there was no ready access to all relevant information relating to risk assessment and case management through either System1 (the medical record storage and case management system) held by healthcare, or the ACCT document held by the prison. ”

    Source location

    Ahmedreza Fathi · Prevention of Future Deaths report
    Page 5 · 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

    Under-utilisation of enhanced case management for complex prisoners

    Wider context from the report

    “2. The enhanced case management system referred to in PSI 64/11 was under-utilised for a prisoner of this complexity and further consideration should be given to its role in situations of this nature. ”

    Source location

    Ahmedreza Fathi · Prevention of Future Deaths report
    Page 5 · concerns

    Open source report
  8. West Yorkshire Eastern

    AI-generated summary

    Pauline Taylor · 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

    Pauline Taylor underwent surgery in November 2010 intended to remove her right kidney and ureter, but only approximately 5 cm of the ureter was removed. Persistent pain led to the discovery of an inoperable tumour in the remaining ureter, followed by metastases in the liver and lungs; she died at home on 12 May 2012. Concerns included ambiguity in the term “nephroureterectomy” and the absence of a designated person to coordinate care in this complex case.

    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 a designated clinical case manager for complex and uncertain cases

    Wider context from the report

    “(2) In this complex case, no firm diagnosis had been established. There was no one person in the clinical team whose role was to monitor progress, liaise with the patient and the various clinicians involved and ensure her significant ongoing problems were heard and heeded. Evidence was taken at the Inquest from an expert witness who described the benefits of a ‘case manager’ role, used in other NHS Trusts in cases characterised by uncertainty and complexity. ”

    Source location

    Pauline Taylor · 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

    Fill clinical nurse specialist posts to support cancer care coordination.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “We established that in other organisations the case manager role is frequently undertaken by Clinical Nurse Specialists. We confirmed that their processes for assigning nurse specialists to coordinate care were the same that we use in our cancer centre. At the time of Mrs Taylor’s case a number of these posts were being recruited to. I can confirm that these posts are now filled and any patient attending clinics with a possible diagnosis of cancer is assigned a clinical nurse specialist to follow their case and act as a point for communication.”

    Source location

    2015-0008-Response-by-Leeds-Teaching-Hospital
    Page 2 · response
    Published 9 January 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

    Assign a clinical nurse specialist to follow the case and provide communication for every patient attending clinics with a possible cancer diagnosis.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “We established that in other organisations the case manager role is frequently undertaken by Clinical Nurse Specialists. We confirmed that their processes for assigning nurse specialists to coordinate care were the same that we use in our cancer centre. At the time of Mrs Taylor’s case a number of these posts were being recruited to. I can confirm that these posts are now filled and any patient attending clinics with a possible diagnosis of cancer is assigned a clinical nurse specialist to follow their case and act as a point for communication.”

    Source location

    2015-0008-Response-by-Leeds-Teaching-Hospital
    Page 2 · response
    Published 9 January 2015

    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

    The local Trust is responsible for addressing whether a clinical case manager role is needed in this case.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “Decisions on how each clinical team operates and the specific roles within teams are issues for the employing Trust. Decisions need to be taken based on the relative skill mix and experience of the clinicians involved, as well as the complexity and seriousness of the cases handled. Your concern about the lack of a clinical “case manager” in this particular case is a matter for the local Trust to address.”

    Source location

    2015-0008-Response-by-Department-of-Health
    Page 2 · response
    Published 9 January 2015

    Open published response
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Data last updated 7 September 2026