Norma Sheppard

PFD Report Historic (No Identified Response) Ref: 2014-0129
Date of Report 21 March 2014
Coroner Andrew Haigh
Response Deadline est. 16 May 2014
Coroner's Concerns (AI summary)
The report describes confusion regarding the terms of the deceased's discharge from hospital to the care home, specifically regarding the provision of sub-cutaneous fluids, which presented difficulties in finding a suitable placement.
View full coroner's concerns
There was considerable confusion about the terms of Mrs Sheppard’s discharge from Queens Hospital to the care home on 25 March 2013. There was a written discharge letter that indicated that Mrs Sheppard should continue to receive sub cutaneous fluids at the care home and this presented considerable difficulties in finding somewhere suitable to take her. In fact when she was discharged it appears to be on an understanding that she was not going to receive sub cutaneous fluids although this was contrary to the discharge document.
Sent To
  • Queens Hospital Burton Upon Trent
Response Status
Linked responses 0 of 1
56-Day Deadline 16 May 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 19 April 2013 I commenced an investigation into the death of Norma Doris Sheppard, 86 years. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 13 March 2014. The conclusion of the inquest was accidental death.
Circumstances of the Death
On 6th February 2013 Mrs Sheppard fell in the care home where she lived and broke her right hip. She was admitted to Queens Hospital, Burton where she underwent a surgical repair the next day. She has then suffered a stroke and her swallowing has been affected. She was discharged to another care home on 25th March where she died on 10th April from the effects of the fall.
Related Inquiry Recommendations

Public inquiry recommendations addressing similar themes

GMMH local structured risk assessment responsibility
Southport Inquiry
Conflicting mental health care plans
Drug Prescription Documentation
Hyponatraemia Inquiry
Medication Contamination/Misadministration
Improve Furness General Hospital delivery suite
Morecambe Bay Investigation
Inadequate hospital care for learning disabled
Patient weighing equipment
Vale of Leven Inquiry
Inadequate hospital care for learning disabled
Service change continuity plans
Vale of Leven Inquiry
Care and discharge planning
Continuing responsibility for care
Mid Staffs Inquiry
Care and discharge planning
Follow up of patients
Mid Staffs Inquiry
Care and discharge planning

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