Dr Debatra Sircar · Prevention of Future Deaths report

On 29th June 2016, I opened an inquest into the death of:
Dr Debatra Sircar, who died on 20th February 2016 in his apartment in Banning Street, Greenwich, Case Ref: 00519-16 (JB).

It was concluded on 22nd September 2016. The court found that the medical cause of death was subdural and intracerebral haemorrhage as a result of a fall, associated with alcohol intoxication. The court concluded his death was an Alcohol Related death.

Dr Sircar had a longstanding alcohol dependency problem. He was psychiatrically assessed on 12th February and found to be unsuitable for home treatment. He had a Mental Health Assessment booked for 23rd February, by which time he had died. He suffered depression but at the last assessment did not admit to being suicidal.

1. He was at risk from falls, associated with his alcohol abuse and had frequently presented in A&E department with symptoms and injuries associated with intoxication. He was unfit to be treated in the community. There appeared to be no sense of urgency in securing a bed. He was booked for a Mental Health Act (MHA) Assessment 11 days after it was advised he needed hospitalization, by which time he had died. The court was informed the delay related to the unavailability of a local authority MHA practitioner.
2. In the intervening 11 day period there was an absence of an interim care plan, identified in the SUI investigation. Although there were plans for increased contacts in future interim care for those pending MHA assessment, it was unclear who would take the lead and how a patient would be psychiatrically monitored in that period.