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Investigation and inquest
On 18th October 2023 I commenced an investigation into the death of Janet Brown Townend, aged 80 years. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 25th October 2024.
The narrative conclusion of the inquest was:
On 15th October 2023, Janet Brown Townend aged 80 years died at HRI from sepsis which she developed from an infected wound on her foot. She was diabetic and she sustained an injury to her foot on 19th September 2024 and this developed into a further wound under her foot due to poor circulation that became necrotic and infected. She was admitted to hospital on 7th October 2024. Despite surgical treatment her infection worsened, and she succumbed to sepsis. Her comorbidities contributed to her lack of ability to deal with the infection.
Circumstances of the death
Janet Brown Townend had a number of comorbidities. Following a heart attack in August 2023 she was in receipt of a care package, sourced by East Riding of Yorkshire Council, and provided by A&B Healthcare Ltd.
Ms Townend sustained an injury to her toe on 19th September 2023. Her carers contacted the podiatry team. She was seen by a Band 7 specialist in diabetic foot service on 26th September 2024. There were concerns regarding her reduced circulation and peripheral neuropathy and she was referred to see the vascular team. An appointment was made for 5th October 2023. It was thought there was a fracture to her toe with an open wound. Ms Townend was prescribed antibiotics and was to be seen by community nurses twice a week to apply dressings.
Carers continued to attend 3 times a day to assist with meal preparation and personal care.
The Yorkshire Ambulance Service Patient Transport Service was booked by Ms Townend to take her to her vascular appointment on 5th October 2024. Unfortunately, when they attended to take her, they were unable to do so as one crew member was not able to mobilise Ms Townend safely to the vehicle due to her limited mobility.
As a result, Ms Townend cancelled the appointment, and a further appointment was rebooked for 12th October 2024.
On 6th October 2023 carers observed Ms Townend struggling to sit up. A Health Care Assistant (HCA) from the Community Nurses' Team attended and was concerned as to Ms Townend’s foot and the level of exudate. Her toe was black underneath. The HCA sent photographs to a senior nurse who determined Ms Townend should be seen the following day by a registered nurse.
The next day, 7th October 2023, the registered nurse attended at the same time as a carer in the morning. Ms Townend presented as vacant and confused. An ambulance was called. Her leg was warm and swollen. A black necrotic area was noted to her foot. Ms Townend’s daughters also attended at this time. Her daughter described a smell of dead flesh and her mother being delirious and slumped in a chair and having been in the same clothes for 2 days.
The ambulance took her to hospital. She had a cardiac arrest on the way but was resuscitated.
As a result of what the ambulance practitioner witnessed, she submitted a Safeguarding Adult Concern to East Riding of Yorkshire Council regarding neglect and acts of omission due to the care she had received and the injury to her foot
On admission to Hull Royal Infirmary, she had an infection to her left foot and sepsis. Bacteria was found on her foot that had caused an infection that led to sepsis.
She was given antibiotics and the next day had a debridement and amputation of 2 toes.
Although initially there was clinical improvement in Ms Townend's condition she deteriorated and despite treatment died on 15th October 2023.
The medical cause of death was determined as:
1a Sepsis
1b Infected wound of the left foot (operated 8/10/2023)
2 Ischemic heart disease; Diabetes mellitus; Chronic kidney disease.
Coroner’s concerns
During the course of the evidence a number of concerns arose as to the level of care Ms Townend received from the carers employed by A&B Healthcare.
These include:
a) Carers at times spent no more than 15 minutes, on one occasion 8 minutes, with Ms Townend. Bearing in times the tasks, document keeping and care to administer and considering Early Warning Signs have there was no attention to detail; Their duties when there included to prepare meals, conduct personal care if required and talk to the service user. 8 to 15 minutes is not an adequate time to conduct these tasks; ;
b) Carers did not escalate any concerns when Ms Townend was not eating. As Ms Townend had comorbidities and was at risk of infection nutrition was very important;
c) Carers did not escalate any concerns when Ms Townend was unwell with sickness. There were a number of times Ms Townend presented with having been sick and this was not considered as a concern;
d) Carers did not accurately record concerns regarding Early Warning Signs (EWS) or escalate when they were present. The EWS were always recorded as no concerns. This was not correct as there were occasions where Ms Townend was displaying signs that were Early Warning Signs which should have been escalated;
e) Carers did not follow up with Ms Townend when she had indicated she was seeking GP support as she was feeling unwell. This was recorded in the Observation Log that Ms Townend said she would contact her GP however the proceeding carers did not enquire whether this had been done;
f) Although Ms Townend was deemed to have capacity carers did not escalate any concerns when Ms Townend was making unwise decisions to refuse personal care, decline food and decline medical intervention. This meant that she was sitting at times in her own faeces and becoming weak and it was not considered whether she needed to be reassessed regarding her capacity.
Information checked against the published report and official responses