Inner South London

Coroner Area
Reports: 146 Earliest: Aug 2013 Latest: 7 Apr 2026

81% response rate (above 63% average).

Clear 70 results
Cedric Skyers
All Responded
2022-0305 10 May 2017
BUPA, Lewisham Adult Safeguarding Board…
Other related deaths
Concerns summary (AI summary) The care home's smoking risk assessment for immobile residents fails to adequately address immobility risks, lacks clear guidance on safety equipment provision, and does not document refusal of professional advice.
Action Planned (AI summary) Lewisham Safeguarding Adults Board commissioned a Safeguarding Adult Review in April 2016 with revised terms of reference and an expected conclusion in July 2017; the Board's annual report for 2017/2018 will contain full details of lessons learned and an action plan, and learning seminars will be held. BUPA has revised its safe smoking assessment and smoking policy, including offering smoking aprons and pendant alarms to residents who smoke in the garden, and requiring supervision for those who decline to wear aprons or have fire-retardant clothing. The updated policy removes staff discretion in risk assessments and requires documentation of residents' choices against professional advice. The CQC is assisting the Fire Authority with a joint investigation and is planning to undertake a further unannounced comprehensive inspection of Manley Court in July 2017 to review documentation and consider whether the steps taken by the provider further reduce the risk to people at the service.
James O’Brien
All Responded
2017-0082 13 Mar 2017
Cambian Group
Hospital Death (Clinical Procedures and medical management) related deaths
Concerns summary (AI summary) Critical delays in emergency response, including resuscitation and defibrillator deployment, were compounded by inadequate staff training, poor induction for agency nurses, and insufficient information provided to ambulance services.
Action Taken (AI summary) Cambian Group sold Cambian Healthcare Limited in December 2016, so the response was forwarded to Cygnet Healthcare Limited. RadcliffesLeBrasseur, acting for Cambian Adult Services, outlines existing practices including staff tours for familiarity, prioritising internal/bank staff over agency, and an agency nurse induction protocol. The NEWS system has also been introduced at the hospital with staff training.
Richard Walsh
All Responded
2016-0377 25 Oct 2016
DAC Beachcroft LLP Department of Health and Social Care Hampshire County Council +3 more
State Custody related deaths Suicide (from 2015)
Concerns summary (AI summary) There were failures in communication between custodial and health professionals regarding the deceased's risks and needs, with crucial information being lost as he moved through different services; there was a lack of a national process for sharing mental health assessment information.
Noted (AI summary) Virgin Care has implemented a process to ensure colleagues have completed ACCT awareness training and are aware of PSI 1700 upon starting at HMP High Down, with annual refresher training. An auditing process has also been implemented for Fitness for Segregation forms, carried out by Lead Nurses. The Department of Health has brought concerns regarding AMHP training to the attention of the HCPC, which sets criteria and approves training programs. Responsibility for AMHP training is due to become the responsibility of a new regulator; Social Work England, in 2018. The Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) states that its existing criteria for AMHP training programs are appropriate and that individuals completing training have acquired the necessary skills in carrying out mental health assessments. They suggest that issues are best addressed by Local Social Services Authorities through ongoing training. Hampshire County Council and Portsmouth City Council have taken several actions, including reviewing AMHP practices, providing additional training, commissioning audits, and reviewing policies. The HCPC reviewed documentation and closed the case, taking no further action regarding the AMHP's fitness to practice.
Jakovas Fofonovas
All Responded
2016-0077 26 Feb 2016
Network Rail
Railway related deaths
Concerns summary (AI summary) Safety recommendations from a British Transport Police report to restrict public access and enhance safety at a railway bridge remained unaddressed by the time of the inquest.
Action Taken (AI summary) Network Rail demolished and replaced the footbridge at Bostall Manor Way with a new, safer design, including industry standard height railings (1250mm) and acoustic fencing with anti-climb extensions. Old building materials have been removed from the site.
Wiktoria Was
All Responded
2015-0271 13 Jul 2015
Metropolitan Police
Police related deaths Road (Highways Safety) related deaths
Concerns summary (AI summary) Police pursuits showed insufficient regard for injured third parties, and lessons from previous pursuit-related deaths were not adequately learned or disseminated. Officers lacked sufficient and rigorous refresher training.
Action Taken (AI summary) The Metropolitan Police Service has rolled out an RT Operators Course since 2011 to selected elements of the uniformed workforce and since July 2014 to all new recruits. They are also planning to implement enhanced driver training, pending release of funds, and are working to ensure officers serving prior to the course introduction may have an opportunity to take the course in the near future, most likely re-worked as a computer-delivered package.
Michael George
All Responded
2015-0264 9 Jul 2015
South London and Maudsley Trust
Hospital Death (Clinical Procedures and medical management) related deaths
Concerns summary (AI summary) Senior management may have attached insufficient importance to previous PFD reports regarding the physical healthcare of mentally ill patients, and there was a lack of domiciliary visits from consultant physicians to mental health wards.
Action Planned (AI summary) South London and Maudsley NHS Trust outlines planned improvements to policies, audits, and risk management related to physical health monitoring for patients on anti-psychotics, including actions related to diabetes screening and refusal of tests. They are considering adding the Glasgow Anti-psychotic Side-effects Scale (GASS) to their electronic patient record and have set up a working group as part of the London Strategic Clinical Network.
Matthew Hoare
All Responded
2015-0203 27 May 2015
National Rail
Railway related deaths
Concerns summary (AI summary) Ineffective security equipment allowed easy access to the station and tracks after operational hours, with individuals able to climb through widely spaced yellow tape.
Action Taken (AI summary) Network Rail reports that following the incident, the roller shutters at the station entrance have been reinstated and are now locked during non-operational hours, and anti-trespass grids have been installed at the Denmark Hill end of the platforms. LOROL are working on a system allowing their stations to be opened remotely from the central control centre.
Archie Hexall
All Responded
2015-0081 5 Mar 2015
Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust
Child Death (from 2015) Hospital Death (Clinical Procedures and medical management) related deaths
Concerns summary (AI summary) A communication breakdown between midwives led to critical information about a newborn's respiratory distress being lost, with temporary notes not retained and parents left uninformed.
Action Taken (AI summary) Lewisham Greenwich NHS Trust has implemented actions, including a 'learning from incidents' policy requiring staff to document and handover clear information and a review of handover documentation. They have also used initiatives such as Goldfish Bowl and Whose Shoes? to improve communication between staff and service users.
Maria Nekrasova
All Responded
2015-0141 20 Feb 2015
Department for Transport London Borough of Lambeth City of Westminster +1 more
Road (Highways Safety) related deaths
Concerns summary (AI summary) The bridge lacked essential pedestrian safety measures, including central barriers and adequate lighting. This created dangerous conditions where oncoming headlights blinded drivers to pedestrians in the carriageway.
Action Planned (AI summary) TfL will conduct a detailed investigation of lighting levels on Westminster Bridge by August 2015 and consider appropriate alterations, also public consultation in summer 2015 on the road layout across the bridge as part of TfL's 'Better Junctions' works programme.
Max Carlton-Smith
All Responded
2015-0007 14 Jan 2015
Department of Health and Social Care
Hospital Death (Clinical Procedures and medical management) related deaths
Concerns summary (AI summary) Organizers of an unlicensed rave failed to provide medical assistance, delayed calling emergency services, and operated in an unsafe venue with poor ventilation. Police lacked sufficient powers to intervene effectively in squatted commercial premises.
Noted (AI summary) The Home Office believes the police have sufficient powers under existing legislation (Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994) to prevent and stop illegal raves. The use of these powers is an operational matter for the police.
Sandra Higham
All Responded
2014-0479 3 Nov 2014
Department of Health and Social Care Public Health England The Heart Rhythm Society of the United …
Hospital Death (Clinical Procedures and medical management) related deaths
Concerns summary (AI summary) A highly fatal complication of atrial ablation, atrial-oesophageal fistula, is difficult to diagnose due to non-specific symptoms and low medical awareness within the wider profession.
Noted (AI summary) BHRS will include an article on avoidance and recognition of atrio-oespohageal fistula in its winter newsletter and remind members to ensure this complication is recorded in the national cardiac rhythm management database. BHRS will work with the AF Association and A-A to re-design the information relating to complications of AF ablation to include information on recognition of symptoms and a leaflet will be developed by the end of March 2015. Public Health England states that the case is not something they can directly assist with, but understand that the Department of Health will contact appropriate bodies. The Department of Health contacted the BCS who are considering circulating a letter to relevant surgeons. A copy of the coroner's letter and the response from the Department of Health will be sent to the BCS and the RCS.
Christopher Ajayi
All Responded
2014-0558-wp26761 31 Oct 2014
South London and Maudsley trust
Community health care and emergency services related deaths Hospital Death (Clinical Procedures and medical management) related deaths
Concerns summary (AI summary) A vulnerable patient with complex mental and physical health needs was discharged into unsupported accommodation without a care package or necessary medical oversight, highlighting severe failures in discharge planning and care coordination.
1 response from South London and Maudsley NHS Trust
Philip Allen
All Responded
2014-0466 27 Oct 2014
Eltham Palace Surgery
Community health care and emergency services related deaths
Concerns summary (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.
Action Taken (AI summary) 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.
Samuel Duckworth
All Responded
2014-0456 20 Oct 2014
Department of Health and Social Care
Alcohol, drug and medication related deaths
Concerns summary (AI summary) The ease of purchasing prescription-only drugs like Diazepam via the internet without medical supervision creates an ongoing risk for vulnerable individuals.
Noted (AI summary) The Home Office acknowledges concerns about the supply of prescription-only medicines online, noting ongoing work with law enforcement and internet providers to close illegal websites. They highlight international collaboration and monitoring efforts but describe no new actions.
Arsema Dawit
All Responded
2014-0442 13 Oct 2014
Metropolitan Police Service
Police related deaths
Concerns summary (AI summary) Police investigation suffered from premature offence classification, misleading record entries, and inadequate supervision of action plans. There was also a gap in domestic violence reporting for non-adults and a reluctance to use interpreting services.
Action Taken (AI summary) The Metropolitan Police Service has made improvements in training and reference materials for staff, investigator accreditation & quality assurance, supervision, and provision of support resources; it has broadened the function of the civilian Station Reception Officer to 'PAO' -Public Access Officer, developed a supervisor training package, updated the MPS 'Supervision Toolkit', increased the number of accredited PIP level 2 investigators, and invested heavily in providing translation services.
Lauren Barfoot
All Responded
2014-0385 28 Aug 2014
Bexley Social Services Ethelbert’s Children’s Services Metropolitan Police Service
Other related deaths
Concerns summary (AI summary) Failures in information sharing between Social Services and the Missing Person's Unit led to an inadequate risk classification and an ineffective search for the deceased. Social Services also failed to maintain comprehensive contact lists and hold timely strategy meetings.
Action Taken (AI summary) Greenwich Police enclosed a report detailing their actions, addressing information sharing and risk assessment, as well as their broader response to the serious case review that followed the death. Their response has been reviewed to ensure that measures introduced following the serious case review account for issues raised in the report and are fully embedded in current practice. Bexley Children's Services have implemented lessons learned into social work practice, and a triage system is in place for when looked after children go missing. A risk assessment report is required in preparation for strategy meetings for missing looked after children, and strategy meetings are held within three days of a child going missing. Ethelbert Childrens Services has implemented steps to address concerns regarding the collation of information, risk assessment, and contact details. They now complete a Met Police Missing Person Reporting Form upon a child's arrival and provide details by phone when reporting a child missing. Ethelbert Childrens Services has implemented steps to address concerns regarding the collation of information, risk assessment, and contact details. They now complete a Met Police Missing Person Reporting Form upon a child's arrival and provide details by phone when reporting a child missing.
Gary Richards
All Responded
2014-0212 9 May 2014
South London and Maudsley Trust
Hospital Death (Clinical Procedures and medical management) related deaths
Concerns summary (AI summary) Psychiatric services failed to properly assess self-harm risk, communicate patient vulnerabilities, ensure follow-up due to unrecorded contact details, and implement crucial recommendations from a previous incident report.
Action Planned (AI summary) The Trust has secured funding for a mental health specific homeless project, linked to an existing scheme across hospitals. There is now an expectation that discharge summaries will be sent to GPs for all discharges.
Akua Anokye-Boateng
All Responded
2014-0211 9 May 2014
Medicines and Healthcare Products Regul…
Alcohol, drug and medication related deaths
Concerns summary (AI summary) The report raises concerns about the use of NSAIDs in children with sickle cell disease, specifically regarding the potential for a single dose to cause GI damage and the lack of clear guidance on gastro-intestinal protection measures.
Action Planned (AI summary) The MHRA will publish an article in the September 2014 Drug Safety Update to remind healthcare professionals of existing SPC information regarding GI side-effects of NSAIDs. They will also strengthen the patient information for all NSAIDs regarding GI risk, with changes implemented within 12 months.
Abiola Dosunmu
All Responded
2014-0209 9 May 2014
Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation T…
Hospital Death (Clinical Procedures and medical management) related deaths
Concerns summary (AI summary) Critical test results were not communicated effectively between departments, to the patient, or to the GP, resulting in a missed diagnosis and suboptimal care, which was inadequately reviewed by a serious incident investigation.
Action Taken (AI summary) The Trust will refer the case to be included as a reminder in the formal teaching of Foundation doctors and has already shared the incident at departmental governance meetings. ED has revised the transfer checklist for patients being admitted to include results of tests done in ED, and consultants will be notified within 12 hours when their patient discharges themselves from the hospital.
Arthur Brockett-Deakins
All Responded
2014-0077 25 Feb 2014
Department of Health and Social Care General Midwifery Council Medicines and Health Regulatory Authori… +1 more
Hospital Death (Clinical Procedures and medical management) related deaths
Concerns summary (AI summary) Midwives failed to timely escalate abnormal CTG results due to misapplication of guidelines and inadequate training. Concerns also arose about CTG machines potentially misinterpreting maternal heart rate as fetal heart rate.
Noted (AI summary) NICE is currently updating its clinical guideline on Intrapartum Care (CG55) and the progress of the update can be monitored via their website. They will consult on the draft recommendations with stakeholders between 13th May - 24th June 2014 and the final guideline will be published in October 2014. The MHRA states that the incident was not reported to them and that the CTG model was placed on the market by Philips Healthcare and sold in the UK between 1992 and 2006. They included a Safety Notice from August 2002, warning of risks associated with the interpretation of CTG traces. The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) will treat the information about one of the midwives as a new referral and investigate. A local supervisory authority (LSA) would be alerted to serious incidents of this nature via their database system and there is a link to the LSA for every maternity service in London who would provide guidance to a supervisor of midwives when a serious incident occurs. The Department of Health acknowledges the coroner's concerns and notes that NICE has responded on CTG interpretation. They explain the role of statutory supervision of midwives and state the NMC is reviewing this.