Investigation and inquest
On 19.03.19 an investigation commenced into the death of Norma Bradbury who died on 03.03.19.
The investigation concluded on 15.01.21.
The conclusion was one of Natural Causes contributed to by medication
The medical cause of death was
1a Intra-cerebral haemorrhage
1b Systemic hypertension and oral anti-coagulation for atrial fibrillation
Circumstances of the death
On 15.02.19 at the MRI Mrs Bradbury underwent aortic valve replacement. She was discharged to home on 22.02.19. On 03.03.19 Mrs Bradbury was found deceased at the side of her bed.
Coroner’s concerns
Mrs Bradbury was discharged on 22.02.19.
The discharge letter to her GP instructed a review within 1 week to check Mrs Bradbury’s bloods and blood pressure, and to restart Losartan, and titrate the dose to her blood pressure. The consultant giving evidence at the hearing was clear that he expected this to have commenced within a week of discharge.
The evidence of Mrs Bradbury’s GP was that the discharge letter was not received until 25.02.19. The GP also advised that the delay in receiving discharge letters was very variable, between days and weeks.
I accept that in many cases the discharge letter is no more than a summary of an attendance and requires little or no further action on the part of the GP and the delay is of no consequence. However, where, as here, the discharging hospital requires GP involvement within 1 week of discharge a delay of 3 days in requesting or advising that involvement is not acceptable.
While it was not possible to determine any difference in outcome in Mrs Bradbury’s case there is a risk that such a delay would make a difference.