Investigation and inquest
On 28th March 2013 I commenced an investigation into the death of George Robert Vickery, aged 89. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 6th October 2014. The conclusion of the inquest was: Death due to an Accident.
Circumstances of the death
George Vickery fell after alighting from an ambulance outside the Oak Park Community Clinic, Havant. He was attending the clinic for leg treatment. He sustained a broken hip and was taken to Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth, where he died the next day.
Coroner’s concerns
That the decision to treat Mr Vickery at the clinic rather than in his own home (as had been the case previously) was taken without regard to a request from his GP that he should be treated at home, not at a clinic.
In my opinion, when assessing how and where a patient should be treated, or when assessing whether any changes should be made as to how and where a patient is treated, Southern Health's Integrated Community Services should formally consult with the Patient's GP and have proper regard to the GP's views on these matters.