John William Tugwell

PFD Report Unknown Ref: 2013-0319
Date of Report 1 December 2013
Coroner Martin Fleming
Coroner Area Surrey
Response Deadline est. 19 April 2014
No published response · Over 2 years old
Response Status
Responses 0
56-Day Deadline 19 Apr 2014
Over 2 years old — no identified published response
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
During the course of the inquest the evidence revealed a matter that gave  rise to concern and which, in my opinion, there is a risk that future deaths  could occur by reason thereof unless action is taken.  

The MATTER OF CONCERN is as follows.  –  

 Although Mr Tugwell was clearly a falls risk given his  documented history of previous falls at the home, he was allowed  unsupervised access to the two sets of stairs at the home. 

I would be grateful if you could re consider the appropriateness of  allowing such vulnerable and unsupervised residents access to the stairs  given the potential for serious injury.
Report Sections
Investigation and Inquest
On 16th April 2013 I opened an inquest into the death of John William  Tugwell who, at the date of his deaths was aged 79 years.  The inquest  was resumed and concluded on 22nd November 2013  I found that the cause of death to be: ‐  1a.  Bilateral lobar pneumonia  1b.  Acute subdural haemorrhage and cortical contusions  I concluded with Accidental Death.
Circumstances of the Death
On 6th April 2013 Mr John William Tugwell was found at the bottom of  the stairs following an unwitnessed fall at the nursing home where he  was a resident.  At the hospital he was found to have sustained skull  fractures and an extra cranial scalp haematoma.  Very sadly he was not  considered fit for surgery and he subsequently succumbed to his injuries  on 9th April 2013.  RT3763
Copies Sent To
I have sent a copy of this report to Surrey Police Surrey Safeguarding Adults Chief Coroner Coroners Society for England and Wales RT3763
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Data sourced from Courts and Tribunals Judiciary under the Open Government Licence.