John Wilsher
PFD Report
All Responded
Ref: 2014-0360
All 2 responses received
· Deadline: 3 Oct 2014
Coroner's Concerns (AI summary)
An inaccurate discharge letter and a lack of communication regarding pre-existing concerns about a care home's suitability led to an inappropriate patient placement.
View full coroner's concerns
(1) The information contained in the NNUH Discharge Letter is inaccurate; (2) Concerns were raised by the GP and a referral made to NCC Community Services on 25 November 2013 as to the suitability of (he Care Home in providing care to Mr Wilsher due to his deteriorating condition. He was admitted to NNUH on 27 November 2013 for assessment and plans were made for discharge to the Care Home: Neilher NNUH nor the Care Home were aware concerns had already been raised (prior to a further deterioration in his condition) as to the adequacy of (he Care Home to cope with his needs. On Mr Wilsher's discharge to the Care Home it quickly became apparent they could not cope with his needs_ (3) An assessment was carried out by NCC Community Services on 13 December 2013 by which time Mr Wilsher had been admitted to NNUH and discharged and plans were already in place for his transfer t0 a nursing home.
(4) The outcome of the Nursing Assessment carried out on 10 December 2013 was not available at the time of the Community Services Assessment:
(4) The outcome of the Nursing Assessment carried out on 10 December 2013 was not available at the time of the Community Services Assessment:
Responses
Action Taken
The hospital trust has revised its template discharge letter and created an additional bespoke template for patients of the Older People's Medicine Department to improve the accuracy of discharge information provided to GPs and community services. Training programs associated with the use of these templates are also being changed. (AI summary)
The hospital trust has revised its template discharge letter and created an additional bespoke template for patients of the Older People's Medicine Department to improve the accuracy of discharge information provided to GPs and community services. Training programs associated with the use of these templates are also being changed. (AI summary)
View full response
Dear Ms Lake write further to Ihe report dated 5 August 2014 that you issued following your inquest into the death of Mr John Wilsher in December 2013. We have reviewed your report carefully and can respond particularly to your concern number ie that Ihe discharge letter from this hospital contained inaccurate information. A review of incidents relating to discharge from hospital trusts was published by NHS England in August 2014. In fact; a stream of work concerning this was already underway within the Trust, led by one of our Associate Medical Directors and involving a number of stakeholder parties, including GPs, consultants, junior doctors etc_ The outcome of that work was presented to our Executive Board at the beginning of September and a series of steps are put in place to improve the accuracy of discharge information provided to GPs and community services_ The aim of these changes is to ensure speedier completion of electronic discharge letters, a more 'rounded' picture of the patient and improved continuity of care The steps taken may be summarised as follows: Revision of the template discharge letter, to make this easier to complete and give prominence to the most important information; Creation of an additional bespoke template letter for patients of our Older People's Medicine Department (such as Mr Wilsher) , with fields specific to the issues affecting this group of patients; Revision of the prompts guiding clinicians when completing these letters, to ensure all relevant information is included; Changes to the training programme associated with use of the templates We will continue to monitor the effect of the changes outlined above and whelher any further steps are necessary to promote the safe transfer of care between hospital and community. The Trust sees up to a million patients a year and we recognise the importance of good communication between healthcare providers; Your concerns have been raised with the junior doctor who wrote the discharge letter, to ensure that he is fully aware of the implications of inaccurate information provided. hope that this information provides you with the assurance you need but if it would be helpful to discuss please let us know.
Action Taken
Norfolk County Council Community Services has been working with colleagues to ensure feedback is given to those raising safeguarding concerns. Social care practitioners are linked to hospital wards caring for older people to support health staff with discharges. (AI summary)
Norfolk County Council Community Services has been working with colleagues to ensure feedback is given to those raising safeguarding concerns. Social care practitioners are linked to hospital wards caring for older people to support health staff with discharges. (AI summary)
View full response
Dear Madam Re: John Henry Wilsher deceased refer to your report dated 5 August 2014 and should be grateful if you would accept this letter as the response on behalf of Norfolk County Council Community Services. confirm that the importance of giving appropriate feedback to the person who raised: the safeguarding concern ("the referrer' has been acknowledged and it is agreed that this should be an integral part of the safeguarding process. The Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub MASH") and the safeguarding manager within Norfolk Council have been working with colleagues to ensure this action is embedded in the safeguarding process_ This will ensure a more outcome focussed safeguarding process This will also enable the referrer t0 be clear when the council has assessed an issue not to fall within the safeguarding arena In practice this will mean that if similar situation were to arise in the future the feedback given to the referrer will enable the referrer to raise their concerns directly with the residential home_ Norfolk County Council Community Services continues to work closely with the Norfolk & Norwich Community Hospital to ensure safe discharges are made: There are social care practitioners linked to those Wards which care for older people who, if requested, are available to support any health staff who are directly in contact with residential home managers and staff.
2014 LIZSOR [ LQOI'L ~ulh '267;} Fax: 15G07) ; . Our
trust this deals with your concerns but if there is anything else can assist with then please do not hesitate to contact me_
2014 LIZSOR [ LQOI'L ~ulh '267;} Fax: 15G07) ; . Our
trust this deals with your concerns but if there is anything else can assist with then please do not hesitate to contact me_
Sent To
- Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust
- Norfolk County Council
Response Status
Linked responses
2 of 3
56-Day Deadline
3 Oct 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 30 December 2013 | commenced an investigation inlo the death of JOHN HENRY WILSHER, aged 96 years The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on August 2014. The conclusion of the inquest was medical cause of death 1a} Subdural Haematoma; 1b) Frailty (Recurrent Falis); c) Old Age and short-form conclusion "Accidental Death"
Circumstances of the Death
Mr Wilsher was resident in Springdale Care Home ("the Care Home"): His condition deteriorated in November 2013 and he had falls on 18 and 25 November 2013. Mr Wilsher was seen by his GP who referred him to Community Services, Norfolk County Council ("NCC") for assessment, being of the view that Mr Wilsher was not safe at the Care Home due t0 the falls_ The Care Home was not made aware of the referral. Mr Wilsher deteriorated and was seen again by the GP on 27 November 2013 when he was referred to the Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital NNUH" for assessment,
Action Should Be Taken
In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and believe your organisations have the power to (ake such action_
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Data sourced from Courts and Tribunals Judiciary under the Open Government Licence.