Investigation and inquest
On 5 August 2013 I commenced an investigation into the death of Elsie May Treece aged 95. The investigation concluded at the end of the Inquest on 11 December 2013. The conclusion of the Inquest was accidental death.
Circumstances of the death
On 18 July 2013 Mrs Treece had a fall in the care home where she lived, attended Queen's Hospital in Burton and was returned home. On 24 July she had another fall and this time was admitted to Queen's Hospital with a broken arm and an inoperable bleed to her brain. The head injury caused her death at the hospital on 2 August.
Coroner’s concerns
(1) I received information from the family that on the afternoon of the 26 July 2013, following difficulties in moving Mrs Treece, for a while hospital staff left one of Mrs Treece’s daughters (aged 70) supporting her mother. One of them then returned with a blue lifting bag with handles but she was not properly supported and fell back heavily on the bed with some force. Investigation has been carried out by ████████ the Ward 6 manager and I received a report which indicates there is no record of any such incident either in paper records, electronic records or from speaking to staff on duty. I did not investigate this incident fully because on balance it is unlikely to have been significant so far as the death is concerned. However the view I took on the evidence I did hear was that there had been an incident which should have been reported and may well not have been. I therefore write to you to enquire if staff need to be reminded or may need further training regarding the requirement to report inappropriate incidents even if no major harm seems to come to the patient involved.
(2) While writing to you perhaps you could also find out for me the reasons why Mrs Treece did not have a CT scan of her head following the attendance on the 18 July 2013. This is not strictly a matter for this formal report but an answer would be appreciated.