Anthony Jonathon LODGE · Prevention of Future Deaths report

On 28/07/2025 09:11an investigation was commenced into the death of Anthony Jonathon LODGE 03/08/1974. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 10/12/2025 15:30. The conclusion of the inquest was that On 24 July 2025 at his home address of , ████████ consequence of a severe urinary tract infection. On 18 July 2025 the deceased had been prescribed antibiotics to treat a suspected urinary tract infection and a urine sample had been taken on the same date to send to the laboratory for testing. Due to the sample container being out of date, it was not possible for the laboratory to process the sample and the deceased died before a further sample was taken. It is unlikely that the out-of-date container contributed to the deceased’s death..

The cause of death was a severe urinary tract infection.

I heard evidence that the red-topped urine sample bottles containing boric acid (for preservation of the urine) used by the County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust district nursing team were not stamped with an expiry date, making it impossible for the district nursing team to know whether or not they were using an out of date sample bottle. The laboratory were unable to process the urine sample in this case because the red top sample bottle was out of date. Although it appears that the resulting delay in this case probably did not contribute to the deceased's death, I am concerned that there may be cases in the future where the delay caused by the use of an out of date specimen bottle could cause or contribute to death. I understand that your company is the manufacturer of the urine specimen bottles used by the district nursing team.