UK Inquiry Tracker

Kirandip Bharaj

PFD Report All Responded Ref: 2023-0379

Date of Report 9 October 2023

Coroner Alan Anthony

Coroner Area Blackpool & Fylde

Response Deadline est. 25 December 2023

Other related deaths

Judiciary.uk Report PDF

All 1 response received · Deadline: 25 Dec 2023

Sent To

Blackpool Council

Response Status

Responses 1 of 1

56-Day Deadline 25 Dec 2023

All responses received

About PFD responses

Organisations named in PFD reports must respond within 56 days explaining what actions they are taking.

Source: Courts and Tribunals Judiciary

Coroner’s Concerns

In the circumstances it is my statutory duty to send the report: The MATTER OF CONCERN is as follows. – Eating disorders are increasingly prevalent. An eating disorder is a mental disorder and with a known high risk of mortality. Many vulnerable people live in the community with support from adult social care, but who may not have access to specialist eating disorder services, perhaps due to a lack of availability or because they are reluctant to engage with specialist services. As part of their illness, they may be reluctant to discuss their condition with family members, friends, or attend their GP surgery for monitoring of their weight. It is important that adult social care staff, should they become aware of concerning signs of a previously unknown eating disorder problem, or identify a possible deterioration in the condition of a service user previously diagnosed with an eating disorder, take action within their range of powers to raise such concerns with the appropriate professionals, and possibly family members. I have a concern that in the absence of the tools, training and access to the relevant guidance, well - meaning adult social care staff may not recognise when a situation arises and the service user will go without necessary and often very urgent, medical assessment and treatment, and with fatal consequences. I do not seek to be prescriptive about what should now happen, and that is not the purpose of this report. I simply raise the concern.

Responses

Blackpool Council

6 Dec 2023

Blackpool Council has commenced an internal review into the incident and plans to share learning across services. They have outlined a series of planned actions including exploring a specific risk assessment for eating disorders, requesting an awareness session for AMHPs in 2024, and sharing resources with provider services. AI summary

View full response

Dear Mr Wilson, Re: Response to the Coroners Regulation 28 - Kirandip Bharaj Blackpool Adult Social Services takes the care and support of our people with the utmost importance. We are extremely sorry this lady died in the circumstances she did and offer our sincere condolences to her family. We thank you for bringing to our attention and we acknowledge the recommendation that adult social workers need access to specialist training, tools and guidance to enable them to best support people diagnosed with Eating Disorders and recognise when they need access to urgent medical assessments and treatment. A starting point for us was to fully understand the circumstances relating to this lady’s death and to undertake an Internal Review to identify areas of learning. The post incident review has commenced and we are committed to sharing any learning from this review across our services. We have considered the concerns and our response and action to each is below: Training: The Approved Mental Health Professionals (AMHPs); Blackpool Council AMHPs undertake post qualifying academic training that is provided by the University of Central Lancashire (UCLAN) – this specialist training covers a range of mental disorders and includes a session on eating disorders that is undertaken by a specialist in that field. The AMHPs once qualified are required to undertake additional legal update training on an annual basis and within that specialist training explore the interface between the Mental Health Act 1983 (revised 2007) and the Mental Capacity Act 2005 which; includes case law. In addition some Blackpool Council AMHPs received half a day’s training from LSCFT specialist eating disorder service on 22/2/2021. LSCFT (Lancashire and South Cumbria Foundation Trust) is the specialist mental health provider for the area. We have requested and seen the components of the AMHP training and information on this specifically relating to eating disorders and can confirm that this is current and fit for purpose. All newly approved

– Director of Adult Services Blackpool Council | PO Box 4 Blackpool | FY1 1NA Contact

AMHPs in Blackpool receive this training and we are looking at the training needs of the wider AMHP service. The AMHP lead for Blackpool Council will ensure that all AMHPs within their supervision discuss their knowledge and experience relating to Eating Disorders and will identify if additional specialist training is identified - we will seek to procure this, where required. The AMHP lead for Blackpool Council will liaise with LSCFT specialist eating disorder service to formally request they deliver an awareness raising session on what services they provide and how to access eating disorder support – for all AMHPs. Social Workers and Support Workers – On reviewing training there is an inconsistency in the level of awareness on the basic understanding of eating disorders; we are therefore looking to increase and develop awareness across our social work teams. We have shared the following links with all staff across Adult Social Care:  The NHS Guidance: Overview – Eating disorders - NHS (www.nhs.uk)  Healthy Young Minds: Eating Disorders (healthyyoungmindslsc.co.uk)  National Eating Disorders Association We have asked that all Service Managers check and confirm that their staff have accessed and read this information and have a conversation in supervision to explore and discuss further. Where we have identified practitioners who are supporting individuals with an eating disorder; we will monitor through supervision, to ensure the worker is sufficiently confident and identify any additional training required - this will be provided. We have developed a range of resources which are available to all our social work teams; via our electronic system and guidance is being developed which will assist all staff on when a potential eating disorder is identified how they respond, what they need to do and who they need to inform. Provider Training: We are keen to ensure the care providers we work closely with have a basic awareness of eating disorders. The Contracts and Commissioning Team are undertaking a piece of work to understand and explore this further. We have shared the links to the NHS’ national guidance and Healthy Young Minds with our provider services for cascading through their organisations to increase the general level of awareness around eating disorder. Our Contracts and Commissioning Team will be linking in with the Health and Social Care Career Academy to explore and raise awareness of eating disorders. Tools and Guidance:  There are a number of websites and information available to assist practitioners in their understanding of eating disorders and we have shared these across the social work teams.

– Director of Adult Services Blackpool Council | PO Box 4 Blackpool | FY1 1NA Contact

 On Healthy Young Minds: Eating Disorders (healthyyoungmindslsc.co.uk) there is access to tools and resources available for use.  The Service Manager for Adult Mental Health Services is exploring the benefits of a specific risk assessment tool to support social workers in identifying, managing and escalating risk when working with people with a range of mental illness/mental disorders.  A 7 minute briefing tool is being developed to form part of the suite of resources to assist all staff. Actions: Action By whom Timescales Internal Post Incident Review Report - good practice & learning to be shared across Adult Social Care Service Manager - Adult Mental Health End of January 2024 Suite of resources available via SharePoint for access for all of Adult Social Care. Service Manager - Adult Mental Health End of December 2023 To develop a 7 minute briefing on Eating Disorders to be shared across Adult Social Care and wider to enhance learning around Eating Disorders Service Manager - Adult Mental Health End of January 2023 AMHP supervision - discussion point on Eating Disorders explored with each AMHP and if additional training required to be discussed with AMHP Lead AMHP supervisors – oversight from AMHP Lead End of February 2023 To explore if a specific Risk Assessment in relation to mental illness and eating disorders is required. Service Manager - Adult Mental Health End of January 2024 To approach LSCFT Eating Disorder Service to request they provide an awareness session for all AMHPs early in 2024 Service Manager - Adult Mental Health End of March 2023 Adult social care staff to hold a discussion within their supervision on Eating Disorders and confirmation the suite of resources has been accessed to increase learning. Service Managers across Adult Social Care End of February 2024 Contracts & Commissioning to share Quality Assurance Manager (Adults) End of December 2023

– Director of Adult Services Blackpool Council | PO Box 4 Blackpool | FY1 1NA Contact

suite of resources with all provider services for sharing within their organisations. Contracts & Commissioning to explore with Health & Social Care Career Academy and support with developing resources/courses to enhance learning around Eating Disorders during 2024 Quality Assurance Manager (Adults) End of June 2024 Progress against this plan will be monitored internally by Heads of Service and Assistant Director, and externally by Blackpool Adults Safeguarding Board. Any wider shared learning identified from any or all of the above actions will be shared internally or externally as appropriate. Assistant Director – Adults Head of Mental Health, learning Disability & Autism Head of Community and Health- based Services End of March 2024 End of June 2024 Kind regards

Director of Adult Social Services

Report Sections

Investigation and Inquest

The death of Kirandip Bharaj [known to her family as Kiran] on 14th September 2019 was reported to me and I opened an investigation, which concluded by way of an inquest on 30th September 2023. I determined that the medical cause of Kiran’s death was: 1 a Fire fumes inhalation and burns In box 3 of the Record of Inquest I recorded as follows: Kiran Bharaj was aged 45 years. She had a history of mental health issues, having been diagnosed with transient psychotic episodes. She also had a known eating disorder, and had maintained a chronic low weight for some time. She was also known to be frail, with limited vision and hearing. In May 2019, it was felt there had been a deterioration in her mental health and a mental health assessment was performed but Kiran was not felt to be detainable and she remained in the community with support initially provided to her by a care company, and then with the aid of a support worker from adult social care. At shortly before 12.30pm on 14th September 2019, a neighbour became aware of a fire in Kiran’s flat and alerted the fire service. When the emergency services entered her flat, they found Kiran deceased in the kitchen area. A subsequent fire investigation determined that the fire had been caused by the unintentional ignition of a cotton tea towel by turning on the wrong control on an electrical cooking ring hob. Once a fire had taken hold, and Kiran has become aware of the fire, she approached the location and her clothing caught fire, and she suffered significant burns. She died quickly from the combined effects of the burns and from inhaling some fumes. In recent weeks, her weight had become more concerning and was being monitored by her GP. Kiran was referred to an eating disorder clinic on 23/07/19, but was not willing to give her consent to this. On 30/08/19, some 15 days before Kiran died, a support worker had raised a concern when Kiran appeared confused and had been unable to recognise her. In due course, she was the subject of a further metal health assessment on 6th September 2019. By that date, her weight was declining. The assessment was inadequate. There was a failure to sufficiently assess the status of her eating disorder at that time. Her presentation justified a period of detention in a hospital setting where her declining weight could have been stabilised, and the decision not to detain her was a missed opportunity. When social care professionals attended her home on 10th September 2019 and weighed Kiran, her weight had reduced further. A decision was taken to seek an inpatient eating disorder bed. Professionals could have convened an immediate mental health assessment, which may have led to admission to a general acute or medical bed rather than waiting for a specialist eating disorder bed to materialise. Discussions were held with a hospital on 12th September 2019, but there was no eating disorder unit bed free at that time. One would most likely have become available within the next seven days but not by the date of Kiran’s death on 14th September 2019. There was some confusion amongst professionals about when a necessary mental health assessment would take place prior to Kiran being able to access the eating disorder bed, and who would be responsible for monitoring her in the community prior to hospital admission, but this did not contribute to her death. From the available evidence, it cannot be established that the circumstances surrounding the fatal house fire were more than minimally, trivially or negligibly contributed to by her mental disorder, nor by her eating disorder and how it was managed and responded to. In box 4 of the Record of Inquest I determined that Kiran died as a result of: Accidental death CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH In addition to the contents of section 3 above, the following is of note:  Notwithstanding that I determined that it could not be established this fatal house fire was contributed to by Kiran’s eating disorder and how it was managed and responded to, I was satisfied that I have a duty to write this report.  At the time of her death, Kiran lived alone her flat with support from adult social care. A support worker assisted her with tasks such as ordering prescriptions, booking taxis, medical appointments, for example.

 Although Kiran was said to have maintained a chronic low weight for some time, evidence before the inquest suggested that in the weeks prior to her death she lost significant weight, and could take steps to avoid accurate recording of her weight, such as on two occasions when she refused to remove her boots prior to being weighed. Her BMI was 14, and would reduce further. She was said to have been “presenting as not eating, and with an increased level of confusion” and no longer willing to have prescribed ensure drinks, something she had previously agreed to.  The quality of assistance she received from professionals varied. A support worker was proactive in seeking to provide Kiran with the help she needed, By contrast, during an inadequate mental health assessment the extent of her eating disorder and a declining weight was not considered to the degree clearly required.  This inquest was held some time after Kiran’s death, the inquest having been necessarily adjourned on previous occasions for a range of reasons.  The court heard how, at the time Kiran died, in terms of managing and treating an eating disorder the relevant guidance was what is often referred to as the MARSIPAN guidance. Some time later, from around May 2022, the Royal College of Psychiatrists replaced that guidance with their up-dated Guidance on Recognising and Managing Medical Emergencies in Eating Disorders, sometimes known as the MEED guidance.  The court received evidence from a witness who at the time of Kiran’s death had been Deputy Head of Adult Social Care and in her witness statement, she explained how it was part of her role to provide some level of oversight, and to identify any gap in services and address these. However, no significant internal investigation into Kiran’s death had taken place since, and no changes have been made in response to her death.  She confirmed that at the time of Kiran’s death, Adult Social Care staff had not received training on how to recognise indicators of concern in relation to eating disorders.  A support worker explained how what knowledge he had about eating disorders he had accumulated from his experience of dealing with service users allocated to him previously.  Two approved mental health practitioners [AHMPs] employed by Blackpool Council confirmed this also applied to AMHPs, with training on eating disorders limited to whether they happened to choose an eating disorder module as part of their annual refresher training.  There had been little if any awareness of the MARSIPAN guidance therefore around the time of Kiran’s death.

 In addition, adult social care witnesses were largely unaware of the more recent MEED guidance, and the court was told no steps had been taken to bring the new MEED guidance to the attention of staff, nor to provide specific training on eating disorders.  Although the court was told that workers in adult social care do have access to colleagues working in an eating disorder service with who they can discuss their service users, they are only likely to do so upon having recognised that there may be a potential problem relating to an eating disorder. Having considered all of the above, I have determined that I have a duty to write this report.

Inquest Conclusion

Kiran Bharaj was aged 45 years. She had a history of mental health issues, having been diagnosed with transient psychotic episodes. She also had a known eating disorder, and had maintained a chronic low weight for some time. She was also known to be frail, with limited vision and hearing. In May 2019, it was felt there had been a deterioration in her mental health and a mental health assessment was performed but Kiran was not felt to be detainable and she remained in the community with support initially provided to her by a care company, and then with the aid of a support worker from adult social care. At shortly before 12.30pm on 14th September 2019, a neighbour became aware of a fire in Kiran’s flat and alerted the fire service. When the emergency services entered her flat, they found Kiran deceased in the kitchen area. A subsequent fire investigation determined that the fire had been caused by the unintentional ignition of a cotton tea towel by turning on the wrong control on an electrical cooking ring hob. Once a fire had taken hold, and Kiran has become aware of the fire, she approached the location and her clothing caught fire, and she suffered significant burns. She died quickly from the combined effects of the burns and from inhaling some fumes. In recent weeks, her weight had become more concerning and was being monitored by her GP. Kiran was referred to an eating disorder clinic on 23/07/19, but was not willing to give her consent to this. On 30/08/19, some 15 days before Kiran died, a support worker had raised a concern when Kiran appeared confused and had been unable to recognise her. In due course, she was the subject of a further metal health assessment on 6th September 2019. By that date, her weight was declining. The assessment was inadequate. There was a failure to sufficiently assess the status of her eating disorder at that time. Her presentation justified a period of detention in a hospital setting where her declining weight could have been stabilised, and the decision not to detain her was a missed opportunity. When social care professionals attended her home on 10th September 2019 and weighed Kiran, her weight had reduced further. A decision was taken to seek an inpatient eating disorder bed. Professionals could have convened an immediate mental health assessment, which may have led to admission to a general acute or medical bed rather than waiting for a specialist eating disorder bed to materialise. Discussions were held with a hospital on 12th September 2019, but there was no eating disorder unit bed free at that time. One would most likely have become available within the next seven days but not by the date of Kiran’s death on 14th September 2019. There was some confusion amongst professionals about when a necessary mental health assessment would take place prior to Kiran being able to access the eating disorder bed, and who would be responsible for monitoring her in the community prior to hospital admission, but this did not contribute to her death. From the available evidence, it cannot be established that the circumstances surrounding the fatal house fire were more than minimally, trivially or negligibly contributed to by her mental disorder, nor by her eating disorder and how it was managed and responded to. In box 4 of the Record of Inquest I determined that Kiran died as a result of: Accidental death CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH In addition to the contents of section 3 above, the following is of note:  Notwithstanding that I determined that it could not be established this fatal house fire was contributed to by Kiran’s eating disorder and how it was managed and responded to, I was satisfied that I have a duty to write this report.  At the time of her death, Kiran lived alone her flat with support from adult social care. A support worker assisted her with tasks such as ordering prescriptions, booking taxis, medical appointments, for example.

 Although Kiran was said to have maintained a chronic low weight for some time, evidence before the inquest suggested that in the weeks prior to her death she lost significant weight, and could take steps to avoid accurate recording of her weight, such as on two occasions when she refused to remove her boots prior to being weighed. Her BMI was 14, and would reduce further. She was said to have been “presenting as not eating, and with an increased level of confusion” and no longer willing to have prescribed ensure drinks, something she had previously agreed to.  The quality of assistance she received from professionals varied. A support worker was proactive in seeking to provide Kiran with the help she needed, By contrast, during an inadequate mental health assessment the extent of her eating disorder and a declining weight was not considered to the degree clearly required.  This inquest was held some time after Kiran’s death, the inquest having been necessarily adjourned on previous occasions for a range of reasons.  The court heard how, at the time Kiran died, in terms of managing and treating an eating disorder the relevant guidance was what is often referred to as the MARSIPAN guidance. Some time later, from around May 2022, the Royal College of Psychiatrists replaced that guidance with their up-dated Guidance on Recognising and Managing Medical Emergencies in Eating Disorders, sometimes known as the MEED guidance.  The court received evidence from a witness who at the time of Kiran’s death had been Deputy Head of Adult Social Care and in her witness statement, she explained how it was part of her role to provide some level of oversight, and to identify any gap in services and address these. However, no significant internal investigation into Kiran’s death had taken place since, and no changes have been made in response to her death.  She confirmed that at the time of Kiran’s death, Adult Social Care staff had not received training on how to recognise indicators of concern in relation to eating disorders.  A support worker explained how what knowledge he had about eating disorders he had accumulated from his experience of dealing with service users allocated to him previously.  Two approved mental health practitioners [AHMPs] employed by Blackpool Council confirmed this also applied to AMHPs, with training on eating disorders limited to whether they happened to choose an eating disorder module as part of their annual refresher training.  There had been little if any awareness of the MARSIPAN guidance therefore around the time of Kiran’s death.

 In addition, adult social care witnesses were largely unaware of the more recent MEED guidance, and the court was told no steps had been taken to bring the new MEED guidance to the attention of staff, nor to provide specific training on eating disorders.  Although the court was told that workers in adult social care do have access to colleagues working in an eating disorder service with who they can discuss their service users, they are only likely to do so upon having recognised that there may be a potential problem relating to an eating disorder. Having considered all of the above, I have determined that I have a duty to write this report.