Anthony Williams

PFD Report All Responded Ref: 2014-0523
Date of Report 2 December 2014
Coroner John Gittins
Response Deadline est. 27 January 2015
All 1 response received · Deadline: 27 Jan 2015
Coroner's Concerns (AI summary)
Staff lacked clear guidance on psychiatric assessment pathways for 'exceptional cases', medical records were inaccessible out-of-hours, and there was insufficient engagement with family/carers on care plans.
View full coroner's concerns
_ Although a memorandum has been issued to staff advising that there may be times when it is appropriate to deviate from the recognised pathway of psychiatric assessment within the Emergency Department; no clear training or guidance has been given to staff as to what may constitute such "exceptional cases There needs to be access to the medical records of existing patients at all times including evenings and weekends especially regarding a patient's Care and Treatment Plan. There should be greater engagement with family and carers of patients (with patient consent) to ensure that they are aware of the contents of patient's Care and Treatment Plan especially with regard to the options which may exist in times of crisis_
Responses
University Health Board
30 Jan 2015
Action Taken
The health board now has a larger number of psychiatric nurses present on the Heddfan Adult Unit out of hours so socially anxious patients could be assessed at the Unit. The adoption of an electronic case record is currently being explored. (AI summary)
View full response
Dear Mr Gittins Response to your Regulation 28 Report following the Inquest into the death of Mr Anthony Gwyn Williams write further to your Regulation 28 Report following your investigation into the circumstances of Mr Williams death: Thank you for providing the Health Board with the opportunity to advise you of the steps we are taking to improve our Mental Health Services and prevent future deaths_ During the course of your Inquest acknowledge some of the evidence produced revealed matters that gave rise to concern as follows: Although a memorandum from the Chief of Staff was circulated to all Medical, Inpatient and Psychiatric Liaison staff on 8 September 2014, it did not provide these staff groups with any guidance as to what constitutes 'exceptional cases' in terms of where out of hours psychiatric assessments should take place. am pleased to report that since this incident, we now have larger number of psychiatric nurses present on the Heddfan Adult Unit out of hours and in similar situations in the future, socially anxious patients such as Mr Williams could be assessed at the Unit and would not need to await psychiatric assessment at the Emergency Department Notwithstanding this, our Business Manager for Safety & Regulation will fully discuss this matter at the next Operational Management meeting to ensure full understanding and compliance across the Mental Health & Learning Disabilities Division_ 2 In respect of medical and nursing staff having access to patients' records, such as Care and Treatment Plans at all times, can advise you that the adoption of an electronic case record is currently being explored as par of the Community Information System national procurement: The Health Board will determine its preferred approach to developing electronic records by March 2015. 3 In relation to greater engagement with the families and carers of mental health patients to ensure their awareness of the contents of patients' Care and Treatment Plans , as Cyfeiriad Gohebiaeth ar gyfer y Cadeirydd a'r Prif Weithredwr Correspondence address for Chairman and Chief Executive: Swyddfa'r Gweithredwyr Executives' Office, Ysbyty Gwynedd, Penrhosgarnedd Gwynedd LL57 2PW Gwefan: WWw pbc cymru nhsuk Web: www.bcu.wales nhs.uk Care Bangor,

general principal if a patient has capacity to make decisions about whether family members or carers are involved in patient's care planning and care then services are obliged to respect that decision unless there is an overriding public interest; which merits disclosure of information: Where the involvement of family and carer's is accepted by the patient; the sharing of the Care and Treatment Plan would be appropriate am assured that all patients are provided with copy of their Care and Treatment Plans: If a patient lacks capacity to make decisions about the involvement of family or carers there should follow a best interest decision; would suspect in the majority of cases the involvement of family and carers would be in person's best interest. Please do nof hesitate to contact me if can be of further assistance in this matter.
Part of a Series

2 separate reports were issued from this inquest, each sent to different organisations.

  • 2023-0491
    Sent to: NHS England
    All responded

This report (2014-0523) is shown above.

Sent To
  • Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
Response Status
Linked responses 1 of 1
56-Day Deadline 27 Jan 2015
All responses received
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 the 13/h of February 2014 commenced an investigation into the death of Anthony Williams, (DOB 20.05.1972, DOD 09.02.2014). The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on the 27 of November 2014 and recorded a narrative conclusion in the following terms On the 9"h February 2014 Anthony Williams was showing signs of a decline in his mental health which were typical of the condition for which he had been receiving treatment from the Mental Health Services_ He expressed a wish to attend hospital for a further assessment and treatment but due to his condition he was unwilling to access such medical intervention through the recognised pathway of attendance at the Accident and Emergency Department: As a result he went to a location where he would not be easily found within Pentwmpath Woods and with the use of a ligature he took his own life whilst the balance of his mind was disturbed _
Circumstances of the Death
The Circumstances of the death are as detailed in the above narrative conclusion Gwyn Gwyn
Action Should Be Taken
In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and believe your organisations have the power to take such action:

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