Thomas Taylor

PFD Report Historic (No Identified Response) Ref: 2014-0388
Date of Report 1 September 2014
Coroner ME Hassell
Response Deadline est. 27 October 2014
Coroner's Concerns (AI summary)
The ward lacked clear leadership and support, there was no protocol for lost notes and drug charts, and there seemed to be no well-understood protocol when the patient refused a blood sugar check.
View full coroner's concerns
contained within the narrative attached, but in brief -

1. The ward where Mr Taylor was being nursed seemed rudderless, operating without clarity of leadership or support.

On 21 February, a bank nurse worked alone in the morning, though was joined by another agency nurse at lunch time, with only a senior nurse in the office.

On 22 February, the nurse in charge appeared unclear that he had any additional responsibility by virtue of being the nurse in charge, other than to allocate nurses to patients.

Despite only three nurses being on duty on 22 February, the nurse in charge took a break at the same time as another nurse.

There was a conflict of views among the nurses that day about who had primary care of Mr Taylor.

2. There was no protocol for the loss of notes and drug chart. Attempts by the ward staff to locate these were not prompt, focused or sustained. The notes and chart were later found simply in a drawer on the ward.

3. When Mr Taylor refused to have his blood sugar checked, there seemed no well understood protocol for re-checking or escalation. Immediate provision was not made for the administration of insulin, and a doctor was even told that he was not diabetic.

When Mr Taylor became significantly hyperglycaemic on the 22nd, after the administration of the delayed dose of insulin his nurses did not immediately re-check his blood sugar, perform neurological observations or alert medical staff.
Part of a Series

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

  • 2015-0076
    Sent to: County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
    No responses yet

This report (2014-0388) is shown above.

Sent To
  • Royal Free London NHS Trust
Response Status
Linked responses 0 of 1
56-Day Deadline 27 Oct 2014
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 27 March 2014 I commenced an investigation into the death of Thomas Charles Taylor, aged 54 years. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest earlier today. I made a narrative determination, which I attach to this letter.
Circumstances of the Death
Mr Taylor was a diabetic who died in the Royal Free Hospital after a delay in the administration of insulin, following the loss of medical notes and drug chart.
Copies Sent To
Professor Dame Sally Davies, Chief Medical Officer for England
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Data sourced from Courts and Tribunals Judiciary under the Open Government Licence.