Investigation and inquest
On 8 October 2021 I commenced an investigation into the death of Colin Andrew Mark SMITH. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 14.9.22 The conclusion of the inquest was
Alcohol related death.
The Cause of Death was:
1a Acute Alcohol Intoxication with Mirtazapine
1b
1c
II
Circumstances of the death
Colin A M Smith was 39yrs old with a history of Alcohol Dependence Syndrome.
He was resident at Byker Bridge House Newcastle Upon Tyne; a Hostel providing emergency accommodation for homeless persons.
In or around 6.10.21 he consumed an excessive quantity of Alcohol leading to a Blood Alcohol level of 504mg/100ml (6 1/2 times legal limit for driving). He returned to the Hostel in a Highly Intoxicated condition.
A Hostel Worker assisted him to his room and placed him on his side on the bed. Upon a welfare check by the Hostel worker approximately 2 hours later Mr Smith was unresponsive and death was later confirmed there due to the toxic effects of Alcohol.
Coroner’s concerns
Evidence was given which confirmed the absence of any training policy/programme for all hostel workers in respect of identifying the risks and signs of alcohol intoxication and circumstances indicating the need for urgent medical intervention.
(1) Lack of structured training policy/programme for ALL Hostel workers in respect of identifying risks of Alcohol intoxication and indicators/signs of those risks.
(2) Lack of training policy /programme for ALL Hostel workers re signs/indicators of need for urgent medical Intervention in Intoxication.