James Flynn

PFD Report Historic (No Identified Response) Ref: 2016-0390
Date of Report 31 October 2016
Coroner Thomas Osborne
Coroner Area Milton Keynes
Response Deadline ✓ from report 26 December 2016
Coroner's Concerns (AI summary)
Inadequate planning led to a very unwell, elderly diabetic patient being discharged late at night without a detailed care plan, family notification, or essential provisions at home.
View full coroner's concerns
(1) That an elderly patient who was still very unwell was discharged home very late in the evening without a detailed care plan being in place, His immediate family were unaware of the discharge and there was no food or provision for him in the house despite being a type 2 diabetic.

(2) Inadequate planning and management of patient discharge will put patients lives at risk.

HM Coroners Office, Civic Offices, 1 Saxon Gate East, Central Milton Keynes, MK9 3EJ Tel 01908 254326 | Fax 01908 253636
Sent To
  • Oxford University Hospital
Response Status
Linked responses 0 of 1
56-Day Deadline 26 Dec 2016
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 14th December 2015 I commenced an investigation into the death of James Francis Flynn,
68. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 25th October 2016. The conclusion of the inquest was a narrative conclusion as attached.
Circumstances of the Death
The deceased suffered from Chronic Pancreatitis. He was last seen by his GP on 12th November 2015 with acute pancreatitis and was admitted to Milton Keynes Hospital. Mr Flynn was later referred on to the John Radcliffe Hospital where he was treated. He was discharged home on the 8th December 2015 arriving at 2058 in the evening. At 1715 on 9th December his family attended but could not gain access to the house, they went to the rear of the property and saw Mr Flynn knelt face down on the floor of his ground floor bedroom. The police forced entry and Mr Flynn was found unresponsive; CPR was commenced until the paramedic confirmed death at 1806.
Related Inquiry Recommendations

Public inquiry recommendations addressing similar themes

Separate SIO and Family Liaison Officer roles
Daniel Morgan Panel
Emergency family notification
GP Notification of Death Circumstances
Hyponatraemia Inquiry
Emergency family notification
Service change continuity plans
Vale of Leven Inquiry
Care and discharge planning
Candour about harm
Mid Staffs Inquiry
Emergency family notification
Continuing responsibility for care
Mid Staffs Inquiry
Care and discharge planning
Follow up of patients
Mid Staffs Inquiry
Care and discharge planning
Death in Custody Checklist
Baha Mousa Inquiry
Emergency family notification

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