Investigation and inquest
On 23 September 2015, I commenced an investigation into the death of Rufjan Bibi, aged 72 years. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest yesterday.
I made a determination that death was the consequence of an accident, when Rufjan Bibi fell in Mile End Hospital at around 1.45-1.55pm on 1 July 2014 and hit her head, at the time suffering from Parkinson’s disease.
Her medical cause of death was:
1a bilateral bronchopneumonia
1b acute on chronic subdural haematoma
2 Parkinson’s disease
Circumstances of the death
Ms Bibi was admitted to the Royal London Hospital on 6 June 2014 and then transferred to Mile End Hospital on 12 June for rehabilitation.
At the time of admission she was already compromised, as a result of her Parkinson’s and also a fall that she had sustained at the beginning of the year causing subdural haematoma.
On 1 July, she was seen sitting beside her bed, and was then found on the floor having sustained a head injury. I recognise that it is impossible to prevent falls in hospital completely, just as it is impossible to prevent falls in the community. However, there are other matters that I should like to bring to your attention.
Coroner’s concerns
1. Ms Bibi’s family told me at inquest that when they came to visit Ms Bibi, which they did daily, they often found her in need of changing (she was incontinent), and then had difficulty obtaining prompt nurse assistance.
They even found her with faeces in her hair.
Whilst this did not impact upon the outcome, it made me question the evidence I had been given about frequent nursing contact, in a way that I would not otherwise have done. (And of course, however busy staff are, it is not a situation that any of us would want for our loved ones.)
2. Family members were also unhappy that a nurse had told them that, if they wanted closer care for Ms Bibi, then they could engage a nurse privately to come to the hospital to look after her.
If this is seriously being suggested as the way for a patient in an NHS hospital to receive appropriate care, then it is worrying indeed for all patients.
If it is not seriously being suggested, then it seems unkind and unnecessary.
3. Having been found at just before 2pm, Ms Bibi did not receive a consultant review until 7pm, and arrangements were then made for her transfer to the Royal London Hospital.
During the intervening five hours, she had a Glasgow Coma Score of ten, yet no witness was able to explain the delay.