Heather Birchall

PFD Report Historic (No Identified Response) Ref: 2019-0223
Date of Report 28 June 2019
Coroner David Ridley
Response Deadline ✓ from report 23 August 2019
No published response · Over 2 years old
Response Status
Responses 0 of 1
56-Day Deadline 23 Aug 2019
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
At the final hearing heard evidence from who was the paramedic involved in the assessment of Heather on 18 June 2018. He had primarily been called to give evidence s0 that could understand a little more in terms of the process by which a detained person is medically assessed whilst in police detention and also there was an issue in relation to the recording of his findings which needed to be raised withl What arose during the questioning was problem which may affect other healthcare professionals in a similar situation and in respect of which may cause a problem that may lead to a future death if not addressed. Wiltshire Police contract with G4S Health Services (UK) Ltd in relation to the provision of healthcare services at their custody suites in Wiltshire and Swindon. Principally to the ever-increasing challenges that people with mental health issues present to front line emergency services, Wiltshire Police operate an arrangement called Street Triage whereby 24 hours there is a mental health professional available at the Force Control with full access to mental health records_ Working alongside the G4S healthcare professionals, at least between the hours of O8OOhrs-20OOhrs, are personnel from the Liaison and Diversion Service (LADS): Coincidentally the same healthcare trust is responsible for the provision of both those services As you will appreciate when somebody is in state detention, the state is under an obligation having regard to Article 2 of the European Convention of Human Rights to safeguard life in those circumstances One of the concerns that arose relates to G4S healthcare professionals and any other healthcare professional in this situation when asked to carry out front line assessment which could include mental health features, that those individuals may not have the fullest amount of information that is available so that they can make an informed decision as to whether or not for example further healthcare input is required, such as for example a formal mental health at assessment Whilst problem insofar as getting complete picture did not seem to be quite such an issue when personnel from LADS were available it would appear that out of those hours_ a G4S healthcare professional wanted to make enquiries insofar as an individual's mental health background which potentially might be within the knowledge of the relevant healthcare trust, that when an approach is made to the Street Triage team out of hours that more often than not the issue of confidentiality was raised to withhold information or felt that equally there was a danger that selective information might only be passed at best to the G4S healthcare operative. The concern that was left with was that the healthcare professionals from G4S and arguably at the end of the Wiltshire Police whose ultimate responsibility it is to safeguard life when an individual is in Police custody are effectively trying to do job, through their contract service providers (G4S) , in circumstances whereby in trying to discharge their duty having regard to Article 2 of European Convention of Human Rights they were
Action Should Be Taken
In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and believe you have the power to take such action.
Report Sections
Investigation and Inquest
On 28/08/2018 | commenced an investigation into the death of Heather Birchall, and an inquest into her death was opened by Assistant Coroner Nicholas Rheinberg on 22 August 2018. On 21 June 2019 concluded Heather's inquest. found that the medical cause of death was 1a) Alcohol, Citalopram , Codeine, Paracetamol and Propranolol Toxicity
2) Bronchopneumonia, alcohol dependence and depression In box 3 of the Record of Inquest recorded how, when and where Heather came by her death as follows:- "Heather was confirmed dead at 1838 on Sunday 22 June 2019 by an attending paramedic at a location on waste ground to the south of The Recycling Centre, Churchfields Industrial Estate, Salisbury, Wiltshire. Earlier that afternoon against a background of excess alcohol consumption Heather consumed excess amounts of Paracetamol (88mgll blood), Codeine (1.6mgll blood), Propranolol (4.2mgll blood): The combination of the above more likely than not led to respiratory depression and death; Heather also had developing bronchopneumonia which more likely than not contributed to the mechanism of her death_ Heather was dependant on alcohol and also more likely than not was suffering from depression both of which contributed to her actions_ Having considered the evidence felt that there was insufficient evidence to make finding of fact; on a balance of probabilities that Heather had intended to take her own life at the time, she took the medication in conjunction with previous alcohol consumption therefore recorded as a conclusion one of DrugslAlcohol related: Wiltshire & Swindon Coroner'$ Office; 26 Endless Street; Salisbury; Wiltshire; SPI IDP Tel 01722 438900 Fax 01722 332223 and
Circumstances of the Death
Heather was homeless lady having lost both her parents during her teens. A forensic psychiatrist was of the view that she did have mental health problems although sadly for Heather, whilst having mental capacity she appeared to be reluctant to engage with mental health professionals_ As part of the investigation and although Heather actually died on the 22 June 2018, she had come into contact with the Police on 17 and 18 June 2018 the latter of which she had been arrested and taken to Melksham Police Station. Whilst at the police station she was subject to an alcohol withdrawal assessment which did include a mental health assessment undertaken by paramedic. A decision was taken later the same evening to release Heather back into the community. There was no finding of any failure o part of either the Police or the healthcare professionals insofar as the care afforded to Heather whilst Melksham Police Station. The investigation did however as part of the wider investigation give rise to some matters which are of concern to me which have addressed in the next section;
Inquest Conclusion
- "Heather was confirmed dead at 1838 on Sunday 22 June 2019 by an attending paramedic at a location on waste ground to the south of The Recycling Centre, Churchfields Industrial Estate, Salisbury, Wiltshire. Earlier that afternoon against a background of excess alcohol consumption Heather consumed excess amounts of Paracetamol (88mgll blood), Codeine (1.6mgll blood), Propranolol (4.2mgll blood): The combination of the above more likely than not led to respiratory depression and death; Heather also had developing bronchopneumonia which more likely than not contributed to the mechanism of her death_ Heather was dependant on alcohol and also more likely than not was suffering from depression both of which contributed to her actions_ Having considered the evidence felt that there was insufficient evidence to make finding of fact; on a balance of probabilities that Heather had intended to take her own life at the time, she took the medication in conjunction with previous alcohol consumption therefore recorded as a conclusion one of DrugslAlcohol related: Wiltshire & Swindon Coroner'$ Office; 26 Endless Street; Salisbury; Wiltshire; SPI IDP Tel 01722 438900 Fax 01722 332223 and
Related Inquiry Recommendations

Public inquiry recommendations addressing similar themes

Detainee Capture and Condition Records
Al-Sweady Inquiry
Custody medical information
Informing Detainees of Rights
Al-Sweady Inquiry
Custody medical information
Medical Fitness for Detention Forms
Al-Sweady Inquiry
Custody medical information

Data sourced from Courts and Tribunals Judiciary under the Open Government Licence.