Investigation and inquest
On 07/04/2015 I commenced an investigation into the death of Sally Ann Tooze Froggatt, aged 52. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 03/05/2016. The conclusion of the inquest was:
Sally Ann Tooze Froggatt died on 6 April 2015 at Royal Lancaster Infirmary following multiple missed opportunities by clinicians to treat her high risk of venous thromboembolism that would have saved her life. Further opportunities for live saving measures were lost both at discharge and during a cancelled follow up telephone call from a clinician.
Circumstances of the death
The circumstances of the death are fully set out in the attached Summing Up and Expressions of Concern.
Coroner’s concerns
1. a failure to comply with the Duty of Candour
2. inadequate training of staff
3. corporate pharmacy guideline documentation that appears to contradict the NICE guidance referred to in other corporate literature
4. failure of BMI nursing staff to raise known risk factors with consultants