Rodney Hampshire · Prevention of Future Deaths report

On 19th May 2017 I commenced an investigation into the death of Rodney Hampshire, 78 years of age. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 15th September 2017. The conclusion of the inquest was Rodney Hampshire died as a consequence of naturally occurring heart and kidney disease precipitated by the challenge of surgery for Colorectal Cancer and Hernia Repair. The cause of death was:

1a) Ischaemic Heart Disease
2) Resection of Metastatic Colorectal Cancer and Parastomal Hernia Repair, Hypertension related Chronic Kidney Disease (Stage 3), Bronchopneumonia.

On the 12th May 2017 Rodney Hampshire underwent bowel surgery at Salford Royal Hospital following which he was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit where he remained until the 15th May 2017 when he was transferred to a surgical ward. On the 16th May 2017 he suddenly deteriorated and sustained a cardiac arrest.

During the inquest evidence was given that the division of surgery at Salford Royal Foundation Trust is conducting a review examining the benefits of having a small number of monitored beds on the surgical wards such as the ward to which Mr Hampshire had been transferred. Whilst there was no evidence that this would have affected the outcome in this case, evidence was given that monitored beds of the type envisaged would potentially save lives.