Andrew Farrow

PFD Report Partially Responded Ref: 2015-0147
Date of Report 20 April 2015
Coroner Peter Hatvany
Response Deadline ✓ from report 15 June 2015
Coroner's Concerns (AI summary)
A patient with suicidal ideation who requested admission could not be accommodated due to a lack of available beds at the mental health hospital.
View full coroner's concerns
The deceased was under the care of the Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership. The day before his death the deceased made it clear he wished to be admitted to hospital for his own safety_ _ He was known to have suicidal ideation but no actual plan had been formulated. did not find that he ought to have been admitted. My concern however is that had he needed admitting it is apparent no beds would have been available at Green Lane Hospital Devizes when an enquiry was made on 6 July 2014 by North Wiltshire Intensive Services_ Wiltshire & Swindon Coroner's Office, 26 Endless Street; Salisbury; Wiltshire, SP1 1DP Tel 01722 438900 Fax 01722 332223
Responses
Avon and Wiltshire NHS Trust NHS / Health Body
8 Jul 2015
Noted
Avon and Wiltshire NHS Trust explains its process for managing bed pressures and out-of-area placements, stating decisions are risk-based. They also note their surprise at receiving a PFD report for an inquest where they weren't a properly interested party. (AI summary)
View full response
Dear Mr Hatvany Thank you for your letter to our Chief Executive regarding Mr Andrew Farrow deceased and the attached Prevention of Future Death (PFD) report: When there is a bed pressure in a locality, clinical staff may take a number of different actions depending upon the requirements of the individual patient. These actions may include seeking alternatives to admission such as intensive home treatment, seeking a bed in another part of the Trust; making a bed available by seeing if there are patients well enough to be discharged, or sending patient out of the Trust's area. The decision is always risk based, and takes account as far as is possible the wishes of the patient and their family: When patient is sent out of area, every effort is made to repatriate them locally as soon as it is possible and in their best interests to do so. The Trust Board closely monitors bed pressures and out of area placements and is continually working with its Commissioners and NHS England to manage the situation optimally_ hope that this information is helpful but please let me know if you require anything further: Whilst writing, would to comment at how surprised was to receive a PFD report for an inquest that we were not a properly interested person in and would like to understand on what basis it was felt necessary to issue a PFD report in this case, given that you found that the patient did not require hospital admission. have recently taken up appointment at Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Trust and it is important for me to understand how local Coroners work. look forward to hearing from you.
Sent To
  • Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust
  • Department of Health and Social Care
Response Status
Linked responses 1 of 2
56-Day Deadline 15 Jun 2015
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 14 April 2015 concluded an investigation into the death of Andrew Ralph Mitchell Farrow, aged 48 The conclusion of the inquest was Accidental death as a result of acute alcohol and codeine toxicity_
Circumstances of the Death
The deceased died as a result of self administered acute codeine and alcohol toxicity at his home on July 2014.
Action Should Be Taken
What action would there have been taken in that eventuality? Would enquiries have been made as to the availability of other beds in other areas such as Callington Road, Bristol?
Related Inquiry Recommendations

Public inquiry recommendations addressing similar themes

Community mental health services for violence-fixated children
Southport Inquiry
Mental health access for alcohol addiction
Mental health assessment powers for isolated children
Southport Inquiry
Mental health access for alcohol addiction
Independent review of use of force on mentally ill detainees
Brook House Inquiry
Mental health access for alcohol addiction

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