Investigation and inquest
On the 6th of June 2023, I commenced an investigation into the death of James Southern.
The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on the 2nd of October 2024.
The conclusion of the inquest was drug related death.
Circumstances of the death
Jimmy died on the 31st of May 2023. He was found unresponsive by his father at his home address in Nottinghamshire. Jimmy suffered with pain and anxiety since his motorbike accident in 2002, and at times in order to cope, was known to self-medicate. There was an elevated reading of ████████ and ████████ at the time of death, which was the direct cause of death. Jimmy died from a polydrug toxicity.
He was receiving care from Nottinghamshire Healthcare Trust following a discharge from Highbury Hospital, Nottingham. However, he wasn’t seen by the services in the months leading up to his death.
The investigation and inquest identified there were errors in his records which misled medical practitioners and Jimmy into thinking a care coordinator had been allocated. There was also evidence that the records had not been uploaded in a timely manner and at times after death. There was also evidence that records were amended after death. Jimmy’s case was not transferred to another care coordinator when his care coordinator was absent. This meant Jimmy was left without care in the months leading up to his death.
Coroner’s concerns
• That there remain potential issues of poor record keeping.
• There are concerns over the level of communication between professionals within the Trust and communication with patients.