Martin Hill

PFD Report Historic (No Identified Response) Ref: 2014-0362
Date of Report 6 August 2014
Coroner John Ellery
Response Deadline est. 1 October 2014
Coroner's Concerns (AI summary)
Critical abdominal X-ray findings indicating small bowel obstruction were overlooked, leading to an inappropriate discharge and delayed re-admission. Additionally, prescribed discharge medication was not provided.
View full coroner's concerns
In the circumstances it is my statutory duty to report to vou: _ (1) The abdominal X-ray report was not seen by ay doctor and all subsequent diagnoses were made without knowledge of its content (2) Although the doctor in A&E did not have had access to it at that time he stated that had he known of its content he would have referred the patient for surgical review and he would not have been discharged when he was_ (3) The 2 GPs who saw the deceased on the 22nd and 24th respectively stated that on the information had Mr Hill had been discharged with a diagnosis of constipation: Had been aware of the content of the X-ray report it would have raised the concerns which had to the level where they would have then arranged for Mr Hill s readmission to hospital Ellery the The The they thev they

(4) On the 2oth April there was radiological evidence of small bowel obstruction, according to the independent pathologist, most likely episodic Over the next 4 days it became progressively worse, described by the pathologist at PM as hugely distended. The prospects of successful intervention declined over the subsequent 4/5 days The report; when available, was not acted upon.

(5) An additional concern arose separate to this Mr Hill, when he was discharged on the 2oth April, had been prescribed medication. Mr Hill should have left the hospital with that medication but none was provided to him. It Is unlikely that its absence had any material effect in this case but it could in others, (6) For completeness, and it is an issue which arose in an earlier Inquest; no discharge summary was sent to the patient's GP. This appears to have been an exception to normal practice &d an indication was given at the Inquest that this issue has already been addressed. Confirmation of this is sought:
Part of a Series

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

  • 2014-0382
    Sent to: Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals
    All responded

This report (2014-0362) is shown above.

Sent To
  • Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust
Response Status
Linked responses 0 of 1
56-Day Deadline 1 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 28th April 2014 commenced an investigation into the death of Martin Rowland HILL deceased, 58 years old. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 4" August 2014 The conclusion of inquest was Natural cause, preventable by appropriate response following abdominal X-ray: The medical cause of death was; la) Aspiration Pneumonia due to Ib) Intestinal Obstruction due to Ic) Sigmoid Colon Volvulus
Circumstances of the Death
deceased died at the Villa Nursing Home, Madeley, Telford on the 24th April 2014 having been admitted to A&E at the Princess Royal Hospital on the ZOth April and discharged later that day_ An abdominal X-ray was taken On examination by the doctors no abnormality was found. The subsequent consultant radiologist report on the 22nd April revealed a degree of small bowel obstruction. That report; or its contents, was not seen by any subsequent doctor, with the deceased being treated for constipation:
Action Should Be Taken
In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths ad believe you your organisation have the power to take such action.
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Data sourced from Courts and Tribunals Judiciary under the Open Government Licence.