Philip Allen

PFD Report All Responded Ref: 2014-0466
Date of Report 27 October 2014
Coroner Philip Barlow
Response Deadline ✓ from report 23 December 2014
All 1 response received · Deadline: 23 Dec 2014
Coroner's Concerns (AI summary)
The GP surgery's repeat prescription system failed to prevent the continued prescribing of a medication after a specialist advised stopping it, indicating a risk of medication errors.
View full coroner's concerns
The as Mr Allen's GP, sought specialist advice from Not only was this advice not followed but the Quetiapine, whichl_ had stopped, continued to be prescribed as a repeat prescription on several occasions. The evidence at the inquest was that the further prescriptions of Quetiapine did not contribute to the death: However am concerned that the system at Eltham Palace Surgery did not prevent the repeat prescription was unable to say if changes have been made since this incident;
Responses
Eltham Palace Surgery Other
6 Jan 2015
Action Taken
The practice conducts twice-weekly ward rounds and medication reviews every 3 months by a prescribing advisor and twice a year by the attending clinician, using electronic prescriptions. They have repeatedly requested an N3 line for direct access to patient records and have purchased laptops for some record access. (AI summary)
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Dear Dr Barlow, Philip Allen DQB; 28 /02/1942 am sorry for the in responding to your letter regarding the not directly involved with this gentleman above named gentleman was identified the following: S care but from reviewing his computer notes have 1, Ireceived & call on the 7 September 2012 advised me that the manager at the She some reason had had apparently stopped his Quietiapine on the 19 June 2012 but that fot carers continued to give it until that dayl advised her to log that event as there was no record/notification to the as a significant know the outcome of her surgery that it had been discontinued, and to let me investigation. 2 Ireviewed Mr Allen on the 20 June 2012. The letter to 2012 The letter was not sent to uS and was dated 3 July started to make inquiries were only received by the practice on the 25 11 2014, When into the case_ There is no record that any clinician or member of staff at the change in medication: practice was informed about the Unfortunately, am to receive the notes to the alteration of medication for or paper notes which may have an related Mr Allen. Questions to ask Was linformed of the and this was not actioned? Had the carers at the time also failed to inform Eltham Palace Surgerv? Why was the letter from never sent/received by the practice? EP/jw Crown delay from nursing time, yet nursing entry change

As a practice we have made several to the Oaks Home:- our policy in with the care of clients at Twice weekly ward rounds conducted by myself and Medication reviews are done 3 months by our Prescribing Advisor head of Medicines Management at the CCG. who is Medication reviews are done twice a year by the attending clinician were we have the ability to update the at the practice into electronic computer records which can then be translated prescriptions which are sent directly to the pharmacist No handwritten prescriptions are done at the home proper audit trail of all prescribed any and this is to ensure a medication_ de have continually asked for &n N3 line to be installed at the direct access to up to date home so that we have moment we have to hand computer records concerning patients at the home. At the and then write the notes which have to be photocopied translated into the computer records when the the practice_ clinician returns to We have bought laptops which allow us to access some records but access all our request forms and referral we are unable to consuming and doubles letters this method. It is also time the home our workload as all notes have to be made twice as thesstaffae have no access to patients computer records.
Sent To
  • Eltham Palace Surgery
Response Status
Linked responses 1 of 1
56-Day Deadline 23 Dec 2014
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 16 October 2012 | commenced an investigation into the death of Philip Allen; The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 20 October 2014. The conclusion of the inquest was that he died of natural causes medical cause of death was vascular dementia:
Circumstances of the Death
Philip Allen was diagnosed with vascular dementia in 2009. In September 2012 following a deterioration in his condition he was transferred from The Oaks Care Centre to QEH where he died. Mr Allen was admitted to The Oaks on or around 6 June 2012. He was seen by at that time a partner at Eltham Palace Surgery, who prescribed Quetiapine in addition to the Respiridone that Mr Allen was already taking: On 20 June 2012 Mr Allen was seen (atl byl consultant in old age psychiatry at Oxleas NHS Trustr Idiscontinued the Quetiapine and wrote to Eltham Palace Surgery accordingly: Despite this letter it appears that the Quetiapine continued to be prescribed to Mr Allen as a repeat prescription by Eltham Palace Surgery until September 2012. In evidence at the inquest who has now retired from practice, stated that the matter had been investigated at Eltham Palace Surgery as an untoward incident but he was unable to give details of this investigation
Action Should Be Taken
In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and believe you as senior partner of Eltham palace Surgery have the power to take such action_
Related Inquiry Recommendations

Public inquiry recommendations addressing similar themes

Medicines administration
Mid Staffs Inquiry
Unsafe medication management MAR chart errors

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