Investigation and inquest
On 28 January 2022 I commenced an investigation into the death of Elizabeth Mavis HUTCHINS. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest . The conclusion of the inquest was
Natural causes contributed to by neglect.
The medical cause of death was recorded as:
1a Cardiac arrest
1b Acute coronary syndrome, myocardial infarction
1c Coronary artery atherosclerosis
II Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, aortic stenosis
Circumstances of the death
The deceased Elizabeth Mavis HUTCHINS died on 23 January 2022 at Royal United Hospital, Bath. She had been admitted unwell on 11ᵗʰ January 2022 after falling and breaking her arm. She suffered myocardial ischaemia and injury on the night of 13ᵗʰ /14ᵗʰ January which was not treated or managed in any way at all. She was not seen by a doctor again until she suffered a cardiac arrest on 18ᵗʰ January 2022.
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Coroner’s concerns
I was told that there have been a number of changes following this death at the RUH. However that there were two areas which remain outstanding:
(1) The hospital at night team, to assist with management of the hospital at night, take calls from wards, log and triage the calls, coordinate the night team, send clinicians tasks – this is still to be put into place, funding has not been secured for this.
(2) The acute cardiac syndrome (ACS) specialist nurse practitioner role – this is not in existence at this time which I am told would be an excellent compliment for the teams and support staff during the daytime hours.