Investigation and inquest
On 25 March 2025 I commenced an investigation into the death of Jean GROVES aged 75. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 08 January 2026.
The medical cause of death was:
1a) Acute Upper Gastrointestinal Haemorrhage
1b)
1c)
1d)
2) Ischaemic Heart Disease
The conclusion of the inquest was:
Natural causes
Circumstances of the death
Jean Groves had a complex health background, having had learning difficulties from an early age and dementia in more recent years. She was diagnosed with stomach ulcers in 2021 and had been prescribed appropriate medication to reduce stomach acid. She lived independently with support from carers and had a personal alarm to activate in case of emergency. She had been feeling unwell with diarrhoea and vomiting from 21st March 2025 and was provided with recognised medications by her local pharmacy. Her carer became concerned on 23rd March 2025 when her vomit was noted to be dark in colour. She was seen by a paramedic on that day who recorded her observations as normal. As she was also complaining of shoulder pain, she was advised to increase her pain relief medication to maximum dose. In the early hours of 24th March 2025, shortly before 5am she called her personal alarm service who in turn called the ambulance service with concern that she had fallen. The categorisation of the call and service demand was such that the ambulance arrived at her home shortly before 10am. It is recorded that the Community Service and Response team did not attend at her home that had been contacted with a request to do so by the ambulance service under the “Access to the Stack” NHS digital initiative. Jean was sadly found deceased on arrival of the ambulance service at her home, 65 Manor Road, Long Stratton, Norwich, Norfolk on 24th March 2025, from the effects of excessive bleeding due to her underlying health condition. It is unknown whether her death could have been prevented had she received earlier medical attention.
Coroner’s concerns
I have concerns that if emergency responders are not being provided with access details for vulnerable patients when providing support to the ambulance service under the NHS “Access to the Stack” initiative, this may lead to future deaths.