Investigation and inquest
On 03 September 2024 I commenced an investigation into the death of Susan Nora Elizabeth YOUNG aged 63. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 07 May 2025.
The medical cause of death was:
1a) Cardiac Arrest
1b) Mixed Overdose (Including ████████)
1c)
2)
The conclusion of the inquest was:
Miss Susan Young suffered various cardiac problems, including a previous heart attack. She was also prescribed a medication for epilepsy which has the side effect of prolonging the Q.T. interval in the heart rhythm and can precipitate cardiac arrhythmias. Miss Young was found deceased in bed by nursing staff.
Circumstances of the death
Miss Young was admitted to hospital on 23 August 2024, having taken an overdose of prescription medication. This was not her first overdose. She was prescribed amongst others ████████ which has the effect of prolonging the Q wave, the heart rhythm. She had taken an overdose on the 22 August 2024. When this had not suceeded taken another on 23 August 2024. She was monitored appropriately whilst in the emergency department and transferred to a ward with directions that she be attached to cardiac monitoring. When nursing staff took her to the ward, they did not give any handover and certainly no instructions about cardiac monitoring.
Miss Young was found unresponsive and not attached to any monitoring. Resuscitation failed.
It is thought that the medication may have had a cumulative effect.
When the nurses were packing up her belongings, they found much more unused medication which had been left with the patient. It is not known if she had taken any of this.
Coroner’s concerns
NO clinical handover to receiving ward. No instructions passed on from the doctor re cardiac monitoring. Patients own medication found in her belongings which had been with her, after her death allowing her the opportunity to take another overdose.