Investigation and inquest
On 9 June 2023, an investigation was commenced into the death of GLENN ANTHONY LOCKWOOD, then aged 48 years. The investigation concluded at the end of an inquest, heard by me, on 15 November 2023.
The conclusion of the inquest was drug related death, the medical cause of death being:
1a hypoxic brain injury, multiple organ failure and bronchopneumonia following cardiac arrest
1b mixed drug toxicity
Circumstances of the death
(1) Mr Lockwood was a known drug user, registered with The Limehouse Practice since February 2021. He did not always engage well. Mr Lockwood was prescribed Pregabalin throughout the time he was registered with The Limehouse Practice.
(2) He was receiving support and treatment from a local drug and alcohol support service, which took over prescribing for his opiate replacement therapy, and regularly updated The Limehouse Practice about Mr Lockwood’s treatment and engagement.
(3) Mr Lockwood was found unresponsive on the platform of Westferry DLR station on 14 April 2023 and conveyed to hospital where he was treated for a suspected ████████ overdose. He responded to naloxone, but discharged himself from hospital (against medical advice) on 15 April 2023.
(4) On 16 April 2023, Mr Lockwood had an out of hospital cardiac arrest and following extensive resuscitation efforts, was conveyed to hospital by ambulance.
(5) Despite treatment in hospital, Mr Lockwood died on 2 June 2023.
Coroner’s concerns
(1) Mr Lockwood’s drug treatment provider wrote to his GP in August 2021 to advise caution “with regard to other medicines with potential for abuse.” According to the British National Formulary, Pregabalin should be monitored for “signs of abuse”. The evidence I received did not reassure me that sufficient steps were taken to monitor for signs of Pregabalin abuse, particularly in a patient with known history of drug abuse.
(2) The statement received from Mr Lockwood’s GP alluded to the fact that there were possible record keeping and prescribing issues surrounding Mr Lockwood’s prescriptions for Pregabalin. As a result, a Serious Event Analysis was conducted. In response to written queries from me, The Limehouse Practice responded by email on 14 November 2023. That email alluded to potential errors within the Serious Event Analysis and stated that the Serious Event Analysis would be re-opened and revisited. As such, I am not reassured that relevant risks have fully explored and/or any required action(s) taken.