Investigation and inquest
On 30th of December 2020 I commenced an investigation into the death of Susan Janet ADAMS. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 20th April 2021. The conclusion of the inquest was ‘alcohol related’ with the cause of death being Combined toxicity of ethanol, pregabalin and fentanyl with hepatic cirrhosis and steatosis.
Circumstances of the death
In 1989 while working as a Police Officer Susan Adams was severely assaulted and she never fully recovered from this. She suffered pain and developed a problem with her mental health and excess alcohol consumption. On 4th November 2020 she was unable to live in her home in Tamworth and she was found dead in a hotel in Sutton Coldfield where she was temporarily staying. Death resulted from the consequences of drinking too much alcohol.
Coroner’s concerns
Mrs Adams and her family lived in Dosthill, Tamworth, Staffordshire. I was told that this was approximately 50 feet from the border with Warwickshire (and not far from West Midlands as well) and that her GP Practice was in Kingsbury Warwickshire. She needed regular psychiatric assistance from secondary mental health services and I was advised there were significant commissioning difficulties with this because of the home address and GP Practice being in different counties. Mrs Adams could access the crisis team in Staffordshire but long term treatment was supposedly to be provided in Warwickshire. This may have impacted on the care that Mrs Adams received and could be relevant for others who live close to county boundaries. I wonder if anything can be done to facilitate arrangements for secondary psychiatric care in these circumstances.