Sylvia White
PFD Report
All Responded
Ref: 2024-0044
All 1 response received
· Deadline: 26 Mar 2024
Response Status
Responses
1 of 1
56-Day Deadline
26 Mar 2024
All responses received
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Source: Courts and Tribunals Judiciary
Coroner’s Concerns
1. The main issue of this inquest was to try to ascertain exactly how the wardrobe came to be on top of Mrs White and evidence was heard on the subject. As the evidence neared its conclusion a comment was made regarding discharge summaries and the role they play in updating risk assessments for carers.
2. I am fully aware that the hospital did not have the opportunity to put forward any information on this point, however it is my statutory duty to make a report to prevent future death, and the evidence in this case was that this was an issue that occurred regularly.
3. Prior to this incident occurring Mrs White had been in hospital and discharged on 4th October 2023. A manager for the care home outlined that the paperwork provided to carers known as the “Discharge Summary” is often inadequate in providing suitable information. In this instance I was informed it did not provide any information on Mrs White’s increased frailty and decreased mobility. This means that information provided is inappropriate for ongoing risk assessments.
4. The manager did outline a particular form that they prefer, I make no comment regarding the format of the information required, merely the need for appropriate information to allow risk assessments to take place.
5. The manager stated that a social worker should be completing a risk assessment prior to discharge but this often does not happen. In many cases a doctor or another member of staff will complete a discharge summary. The information in these is often lacking to safeguard the welfare of the person concern with regard to their care needs. The manager stated they often have to alert safeguarding at the local authority of the deficit.
6. Bearing in mind the importance of a discharge summary in providing the foundation information for the ongoing safe care of patients as they leave the hospital environment, this is an issue where either a structured approach is required or training to those who are failing to complete them correctly is required.
2. I am fully aware that the hospital did not have the opportunity to put forward any information on this point, however it is my statutory duty to make a report to prevent future death, and the evidence in this case was that this was an issue that occurred regularly.
3. Prior to this incident occurring Mrs White had been in hospital and discharged on 4th October 2023. A manager for the care home outlined that the paperwork provided to carers known as the “Discharge Summary” is often inadequate in providing suitable information. In this instance I was informed it did not provide any information on Mrs White’s increased frailty and decreased mobility. This means that information provided is inappropriate for ongoing risk assessments.
4. The manager did outline a particular form that they prefer, I make no comment regarding the format of the information required, merely the need for appropriate information to allow risk assessments to take place.
5. The manager stated that a social worker should be completing a risk assessment prior to discharge but this often does not happen. In many cases a doctor or another member of staff will complete a discharge summary. The information in these is often lacking to safeguard the welfare of the person concern with regard to their care needs. The manager stated they often have to alert safeguarding at the local authority of the deficit.
6. Bearing in mind the importance of a discharge summary in providing the foundation information for the ongoing safe care of patients as they leave the hospital environment, this is an issue where either a structured approach is required or training to those who are failing to complete them correctly is required.
Responses
The Trust disputes the concern that discharge summaries provide risk assessment information, clarifying that frailty and mobility details are documented in a Trusted Assessor Referral Form (TARF). They confirmed a TARF was appropriately completed and submitted for Ms White, correcting the factual basis of the concern.
AI summary
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Dear Miss Harris,
Re: Death of Sylvia Linda White – Response to Regulation 28 Report to Prevent Future Deaths
I write in response to the Regulation 28 Report to Prevent Future Deaths (the Report), dated and received on 30 January 2024, issued as a result of the concluded inquest into the death of Ms Sylvia Linda White.
I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincerest condolences to the family of Ms White for their loss.
As confirmed within the Report, the Trust was not an interested party in this matter, nor was evidence requested from the Trust prior to the inquest hearing, and therefore we first became aware of the inquest and circumstances on 30 January 2024.
The Report states that upon receipt of evidence from the Care Manager of Hale Care, your statutory duties under regulation 28 were triggered. It is stated that the Care Manager provided oral testimony suggesting that information contained within a patient’s discharge summary does not provide appropriate information to risk assess a patient, and that this was not only the case for Ms White but that this happens regularly; thus leading to the concerns detailed within the report.
Unfortunately, as the Trust was not present at the inquest, we are only able to comment on the information contained within the Report. It does not seem that the discharge process has been fully
explained in the course of the inquest. Information regarding a patient’s frailty and mobility is detailed in a form known as a Trusted Assessor Referral Form (TARF) not the patient’s discharge summary, as suggested by the Care Manager. This form is sent from the hospital to the Local Authority, who risk assess the patient’s needs within the community. Trusted Assessor schemes are a national initiative designed to reduce delays when patients are ready for discharge from hospital. This approach allows adult social care providers to adopt and use assessments carried out while patients are still in hospital, promoting safe and timely discharges.
On review of Ms White’s records, I can confirm that a TARF was appropriately completed and submitted to Social Services on 04 October 2023, and our system show that this was acknowledged by them on the same day. This details that during her admission she was able to walk to the toilet and back with minimal supervision, and with the use of a Zimmer frame. I would also like to confirm that on review of Ms White’s discharge summary, there is a request to her GP to follow up her lying and standing blood pressure in a week due to risk of falls within the community.
I am sorry that this information was not made available to you by those who were party to the inquest. I hope that this letter provides both you and Ms White’s family with further clarity and assurance regarding the discharge process and risk assessment of a patient from the hospital into social care.
Re: Death of Sylvia Linda White – Response to Regulation 28 Report to Prevent Future Deaths
I write in response to the Regulation 28 Report to Prevent Future Deaths (the Report), dated and received on 30 January 2024, issued as a result of the concluded inquest into the death of Ms Sylvia Linda White.
I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincerest condolences to the family of Ms White for their loss.
As confirmed within the Report, the Trust was not an interested party in this matter, nor was evidence requested from the Trust prior to the inquest hearing, and therefore we first became aware of the inquest and circumstances on 30 January 2024.
The Report states that upon receipt of evidence from the Care Manager of Hale Care, your statutory duties under regulation 28 were triggered. It is stated that the Care Manager provided oral testimony suggesting that information contained within a patient’s discharge summary does not provide appropriate information to risk assess a patient, and that this was not only the case for Ms White but that this happens regularly; thus leading to the concerns detailed within the report.
Unfortunately, as the Trust was not present at the inquest, we are only able to comment on the information contained within the Report. It does not seem that the discharge process has been fully
explained in the course of the inquest. Information regarding a patient’s frailty and mobility is detailed in a form known as a Trusted Assessor Referral Form (TARF) not the patient’s discharge summary, as suggested by the Care Manager. This form is sent from the hospital to the Local Authority, who risk assess the patient’s needs within the community. Trusted Assessor schemes are a national initiative designed to reduce delays when patients are ready for discharge from hospital. This approach allows adult social care providers to adopt and use assessments carried out while patients are still in hospital, promoting safe and timely discharges.
On review of Ms White’s records, I can confirm that a TARF was appropriately completed and submitted to Social Services on 04 October 2023, and our system show that this was acknowledged by them on the same day. This details that during her admission she was able to walk to the toilet and back with minimal supervision, and with the use of a Zimmer frame. I would also like to confirm that on review of Ms White’s discharge summary, there is a request to her GP to follow up her lying and standing blood pressure in a week due to risk of falls within the community.
I am sorry that this information was not made available to you by those who were party to the inquest. I hope that this letter provides both you and Ms White’s family with further clarity and assurance regarding the discharge process and risk assessment of a patient from the hospital into social care.
Report Sections
Investigation and Inquest
On 3rd November 2023 I commenced an investigation into the death of Sylvia Linda WHITE, aged 92 years. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 26th January 2024. The conclusion of the inquest was: Accident The following findings of fact were made:
• Sylvia Linda WHITE was 92 years of age, she was partially sighted but maintained a level of independence at home with the assistance of carers.
• Mrs White had been discharged from hospital recently (day before her birthday, which would have been 04/10/2023), but evidence heard that the discharge papers did not report the increase in her frailty and the decrease in her mobility. At the beginning of the inquest it was unknown that the issue of discharge summaries may be relevant. Manager of the care company raised concerns that it was not uncommon for discharge summaries to be inadequate in assessing the ongoing care changes. The carer felt that the risk assessments should have changed after hospital but they were not.
• Carer attended on the evening of Thursday 12th October 2023, Mrs White was in bed. She was given medication but did not wish to use the commode.
• Mrs White was capable of getting out of bed and using the commode herself.
• The commode should have been placed next to the bed. Notes said it should have been placed within reach but were not specific about locations.
• The following morning Friday 13th October 2023 a carer attended and discovered Sylvia pinned to the floor by an upturned wardrobe.
• The commode looked to have been placed in the corner of the room, but was upturned.
• The wardrobe had never shown signs of instability.
• Mrs White had never moved the commode herself in the past. There was no reason to think that she had moved it herself on this occasion.
• A coroner is unable to deal with what is possible, and it would be unsafe to say what definitely happened as Mrs White had no recollection, but it is likely that Mrs WHITE has slipped, possibly while using the commode, and as she fell inadvertently pulled the wardrobe down on top of her. Her dressing gown was hung on the door handle and she may have pulled on this.
• Mrs White wore a lifeline device but the position of the wardrobe meant she was unable to activate it.
• I note that, on discovery, the carer lifted the wardrobe, called emergency services and the family, while reassuring Mrs White and keeping her warm and stable.
• Mrs White had sustained a significant head injury but was unsuitable for surgical intervention.
Box 3 of the record of inquest read: Sylvia Linda WHITE was 92 years of age and partially sighted. She maintained a level of independence at home with the assistance of carers. On 13th October 2023 at 0758 a carer discovered Mrs White pinned to the bedroom floor by an overturned wardrobe which she appeared to have accidently pulled down on top of herself during some form of fall or slip. Mrs White was conveyed to Hull Royal Infirmary and found to have a traumatic subdural haemorrhage. The bleed progressed and Mrs White was placed on palliative care. She died on 28th October 2023.
Her medical cause of death was recorded as:
1a Traumatic Subdural Haemorrhage 1b Unwitnessed fall 2 Frailty of great old age, cognitive impairment, chronic kidney disease, congestive cardiac failure
• Sylvia Linda WHITE was 92 years of age, she was partially sighted but maintained a level of independence at home with the assistance of carers.
• Mrs White had been discharged from hospital recently (day before her birthday, which would have been 04/10/2023), but evidence heard that the discharge papers did not report the increase in her frailty and the decrease in her mobility. At the beginning of the inquest it was unknown that the issue of discharge summaries may be relevant. Manager of the care company raised concerns that it was not uncommon for discharge summaries to be inadequate in assessing the ongoing care changes. The carer felt that the risk assessments should have changed after hospital but they were not.
• Carer attended on the evening of Thursday 12th October 2023, Mrs White was in bed. She was given medication but did not wish to use the commode.
• Mrs White was capable of getting out of bed and using the commode herself.
• The commode should have been placed next to the bed. Notes said it should have been placed within reach but were not specific about locations.
• The following morning Friday 13th October 2023 a carer attended and discovered Sylvia pinned to the floor by an upturned wardrobe.
• The commode looked to have been placed in the corner of the room, but was upturned.
• The wardrobe had never shown signs of instability.
• Mrs White had never moved the commode herself in the past. There was no reason to think that she had moved it herself on this occasion.
• A coroner is unable to deal with what is possible, and it would be unsafe to say what definitely happened as Mrs White had no recollection, but it is likely that Mrs WHITE has slipped, possibly while using the commode, and as she fell inadvertently pulled the wardrobe down on top of her. Her dressing gown was hung on the door handle and she may have pulled on this.
• Mrs White wore a lifeline device but the position of the wardrobe meant she was unable to activate it.
• I note that, on discovery, the carer lifted the wardrobe, called emergency services and the family, while reassuring Mrs White and keeping her warm and stable.
• Mrs White had sustained a significant head injury but was unsuitable for surgical intervention.
Box 3 of the record of inquest read: Sylvia Linda WHITE was 92 years of age and partially sighted. She maintained a level of independence at home with the assistance of carers. On 13th October 2023 at 0758 a carer discovered Mrs White pinned to the bedroom floor by an overturned wardrobe which she appeared to have accidently pulled down on top of herself during some form of fall or slip. Mrs White was conveyed to Hull Royal Infirmary and found to have a traumatic subdural haemorrhage. The bleed progressed and Mrs White was placed on palliative care. She died on 28th October 2023.
Her medical cause of death was recorded as:
1a Traumatic Subdural Haemorrhage 1b Unwitnessed fall 2 Frailty of great old age, cognitive impairment, chronic kidney disease, congestive cardiac failure
Circumstances of the Death
Sylvia Linda WHITE was 92 years of age. She maintained her independence at home but had carers visit 4 times a day. She was mobile but used aides. She was partially sighted, having problems in both eyes. As outlined above Mrs White was found by a carer on the morning of Friday 13th October 2023 pinned to the floor by a wardrobe. She sustained a head injury and died on 28th October 2023 in hospital. There was no issue with her care in hospital leading to her death.
Copies Sent To
who in my opinion should receive it
You may make representations to me, the coroner, at the time of your response, about the release or the publication of your response. [DATE] [SIGNED BY CORONER]
30th January 2024 Lorraine Harris
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Data sourced from Courts and Tribunals Judiciary under the Open Government Licence.