Investigation and inquest
On 08 February 2023 I commenced an investigation into the death of Lilian Margaret BOARD aged 91. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 05 October 2023. The conclusion of the inquest was that:
The deceased died on 1st February 2023 at Lincoln County Hospital, Greетwell Road, Lincoln after intentionally ingesting ████████ tablets the day before. A note of intent was left.
Circumstances of the death
91 years old who lived alone, no carers but had friend and family for support, the deceased has a known history of Depression, T2DM, Heart failure and was under geriatric team for worsening mobility. Family report that on 31.01.23 the deceased had taken possibly ████████ (prescribed by GP), she had contacted a friend and told them she had taken the medication, friend has then subsequently called family who attend the property and find the deceased slumped by her bedside with a glass of water and empty blister packs, the deceased was unresponsive emergency services attended and admitted the deceased to LCH where she presented to A/E after taking fatal overdose ████████. She had written a letter for family saying that she wants to end her life. Had respiratory arrest for which she received Flumazenil boluses (5 in total) after which she was kept in A/E resus and started on Flumazenil infusion. ITU was involved and she was able to maintain her airway so planned to keep in resus. Her GCS was 15 after Flumazenil but remained drowsy. She was also started on iv antibiotics for clinical suspicion of aspiration pneumonia. Infusion was later stopped after covering for half life of zopiclone of 8 hours. She was then moved to MEAU on 1.2.23 where she became drowsy again and had stat dose of Flumazenil. Was later reviewed by consultant and started on EOL care after discussion with family. She passed away on 1.2.23.
████ at Lincoln County Hospital can provide a cause of death:
1a ████████ toxicity
Spoken with family who are aware that an Inquest maybe required given the history, they do not have any concerns regarding care or treatment, have requested for family to provide the letters which were left by the deceased. family were present and seen the deceased at LCH.
Coroner’s concerns
The deceased was prescribed ████████ by her GP.
Following discharge from hospital on 18th January 2023 LCH also prescribed ████████.
The deceased therefore had two prescriptions of the same medication that she used to end her life.
Are there any checks in place to avoid duplicity of prescriptions between hospital and GP ?