Harold Uzomechina

PFD Report Historic (No Identified Response) Ref: 2019-0351
Date of Report 21 October 2019
Coroner Chinyere Inyama
Coroner Area London (West)
Response Deadline est. 17 January 2020
Coroner's Concerns (AI summary)
Detainees on the substance misuse unit received differential and inadequate care at night, lacking dedicated prison officers and equivalent attention compared to those on formal ACCTs.
View full coroner's concerns
being: ~drug

_ There appeared to be differential treatment of detainees on the substance misuse unit at night compared to treatment they received during the specifically, detainees had the benefit of dedicated prison officers during the day time but not during the night:
2. The totality of the evidence given by staff suggests that the at-risk population of detainees on the substance misuse unit were not afforded the same level care and attention given to detainees who were formally on an ACCT. This needs to be addressed_
Sent To
  • HMP Wormwood Scrubs
Response Status
Linked responses 0 of 1
56-Day Deadline 17 Jan 2020
About PFD responses

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

Source: Courts and Tribunals Judiciary

Report Sections
Investigation and Inquest
On 24th April 2016 an investigation was commenced into the death of Harold Chukwunedum Uzomechina then aged 34. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 12th September 2019. The conclusion of the jury at the inquest was that Mr Uzomechina died a drug related death to which a failure to recognise signs of cardio respiratory depression contributed A factor preventing such recognition was an inadequate process of physical monitoring during the night state of Mr Uzomechina the medical cause of death 1a aspiration pneumonia 1b cardio respiratory depression Ic multi-C toxicity
Circumstances of the Death
Mr Uzomechina was remanded to HMP Wormwood scrubs on 20h April 2016. At reception health screens, he reported physical and mental health problems as well as longstanding dependence on drugs and alcohol: prison GP prescribed methadone for management of heroin dependency and chlordiazepoxide for alcohol withdrawal and symptom relief medication: Mr Uzomechina was transferred to the substance misuse stabilisation unit for detoxification. Late at night on 23rd April, Mr Uzomechina's cell mate asked to move cells because he said Mr Uzomechina was snoring 50 loudly that it was keeping him awake: At 8.55 the following morning, 24th April, officers were unable to wake Mr Uzomechina and a nurse was called. Despite attempts at CPR Mr Uzomechina was confirmed dead at 9.32 am
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.
Copies Sent To
duty
Related Inquiry Recommendations

Public inquiry recommendations addressing similar themes

Quarterly assessment of staffing levels against population needs
Brook House Inquiry
Care home staffing levels
Ensure senior manager presence and accessibility to staff
Brook House Inquiry
Care home staffing levels
Staffing and skills mix review
Vale of Leven Inquiry
Care home staffing levels
Safe staff numbers and skills
Mid Staffs Inquiry
Care home staffing levels
Responsibility for regulating and monitoring compliance
Mid Staffs Inquiry
Care home staffing levels
NHS Litigation Authority Improvement of risk management
Mid Staffs Inquiry
Care home staffing levels
HMP Maghaberry lessons learned
Billy Wright Inquiry
Prison Overcrowding & Staff Vacancies

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