2015
PFD Reports
Reports: 477
Areas: 69
62% response rate (below 63% average).
Finnulla Martin
Historic (No Identified Response)
2015-0173
29 Apr 2015
London North (Inner)
Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Tru…
Metropolitan Police Service
Whittington Hospital NHS Trust
Concerns summary (AI summary)
The psychiatry liaison team at Whittington Hospital appeared unclear on protocols for receiving information from police officers bringing patients in voluntarily, and did not adequately explore suicide risk or obtain collateral history; also, the police call handler did not record critical information.
Jorge Castro
All Responded
2015-0170
29 Apr 2015
Manchester (West)
Springfield Medical Practice
Concerns summary (AI summary)
A vulnerable patient missed crucial anti-epileptic medication due to uncollected prescriptions, which GPs failed to review during multiple consultations. The surgery lacked a system to highlight uncollected prescriptions, especially for dependent patients.
Action Taken
(AI summary)
Springfield Medical Centre has implemented an alert system in patient records for compliance issues, amended the IT system to highlight overdue prescriptions, created a register of patients on weekly prescriptions, and notified/discussed the event with local pharmacies. They also held a training workshop for staff on repeat prescribing.
Doreen Wood
Historic (No Identified Response)
2015-0169
29 Apr 2015
Nottinghamshire
Risk and Patient Safety, Nottinghamshir…
Newgate Medical Group
Concerns summary (AI summary)
Concerns exist regarding the unreliability of INR monitoring systems, including reliance on healthcare assistants for critical clinical information instead of standard protocols. The practice also needs an internal investigation to ensure comprehensive learning among all GPs.
Rasharn Williams
All Responded
2015-0168
29 Apr 2015
London North (Inner)
Berger Primary School
Concerns summary (AI summary)
The patient's care plan was unclear regarding emergency actions for breathlessness, potentially causing ambiguity for staff. A vital medical instruction notice for the child was also not displayed due to transitional arrangements.
Action Taken
(AI summary)
Berger Primary School has reviewed care plans, will refer unclear emergency provisions to school nurse/consultant, and amended its policy to ensure clarity in emergency situations. They will place photos and summaries of children with severe medical conditions in the staff and medical rooms.
Barry Wilson
All Responded
2015-0167
29 Apr 2015
North West Wales
Glan Clwyd Hospital
Concerns summary (AI summary)
A defective surgical anastomosis, made with staples, was not detected prior to the patient's hospital discharge, directly contributing to their death.
Action Planned
(AI summary)
The University Health Board will implement a pre-discharge checklist, provide patients with information leaflets outlining symptoms of concern and contact numbers, ensure care aligns with planned surgery, and have patients report by telephone to the ward daily until contacted by a Colo-Rectal Nurse Specialist.
Greg Revell
All Responded
2015-0165
28 Apr 2015
Leicester (City & South)
HM YOI Glen Parva
Leicestershire Partnership Trust
Concerns summary (AI summary)
Ineffective suicide prevention measures were evident, with a prisoner not placed on ACCT despite clear risk and a culture of avoiding such measures. Healthcare information systems were insufficient, leading to missed opportunities for vital medication and treatment.
Noted
(AI summary)
Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust has implemented a robust system for seeking clinical information and has a flowchart identifying team member responsibilities. However, following review of the case notes, it was felt that anti-depressant medication was not clinically indicated and therefore an opportunity to restart medication was not missed. HM Prison and Probation Service has reinforced local policies to ensure ACCTs are opened on reception after a self-harm attempt, launched a new Safer Prisons strategy, provided training on recording risk information, and established a Safer Custody team. They have also reminded staff about comprehensive risk assessments and individual responsibility for safer custody.
Rita Paton
Historic (No Identified Response)
2015-0166
28 Apr 2015
London North (Inner)
Mildmay Medical Practice
Concerns summary (AI summary)
There's no reliable system to ensure blood tests are completed and reported to GPs, or for managing appointments for patients lacking capacity when family are excluded. Attending medical crews also lack access to vital past medical and medication history.
Martyn Horton, David Ramsden, Douglas Halliday and Alexander Isaac
All Responded
2015-0164
28 Apr 2015
Wiltshire & Swindon
Ministry of Defence
Concerns summary (AI summary)
The Ridgeback vehicle, introduced for operational service, has unspecified "suspension issues" that raise concerns for safety.
Action Planned
(AI summary)
The Ministry of Defence is conducting a review of the vehicle suspension system, including data analysis and investigation into alternative bolts. They are also addressing the Vehicle Emergency Lighting System (VELS) modification, aiming for completion by the end of 2016.
Joshua Brown
Partially Responded
2015-0162
27 Apr 2015
Surrey
Association of Chief Police Officers
College of Policing
Concerns summary (AI summary)
National police driver training for night-time operations lacks a compulsory practical in-car element, potentially compromising officer safety and response effectiveness.
Action Planned
(AI summary)
The College of Policing is reviewing police driver training, including the risks associated with driving in reduced visibility and night-time driving, and will develop guidance and training as appropriate.
Tamara Holboll
All Responded
2015-0171
27 Apr 2015
London North (Inner)
Camden & Islington NHS Foundation Trust
Concerns summary (AI summary)
The trust lacks precise definitions for "good communication," failing to specify exactly what information, by whom, when, and how it should be exchanged, especially between clinicians and bed managers.
Action Taken
(AI summary)
Camden and Islington NHS Trust has amended the action plan template and revised guidance for writing recommendations, adding an action row to prompt authors to write an action for each recommendation. They are also reviewing and improving their Serious Incidents processes.
Sally Ellison
All Responded
2015-0163
27 Apr 2015
North Wales (East & Central)
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
Concerns summary (AI summary)
There was a significant delay in conducting diagnostic tests for severe pneumonia, specifically Legionella, hindering confirmed diagnosis and potentially delaying optimal treatment. A rapid testing and reporting service is urgently needed.
Action Planned
(AI summary)
NHS Wales, through the Pathology Clinical Programme Group, has reviewed the process for requesting urgent samples from primary care and is distributing a memorandum to GPs and Practice Managers with instructions on labeling and transportation to minimize delay, along with contact numbers for laboratories.
Hilda Harris
Partially Responded
2015-0161
24 Apr 2015
Powys, Bridgend & Glamorgan Valleys
Cwm Taf University Health Board
National Assembly for Wales
Concerns summary (AI summary)
The community INR testing booking system is unreliable due to failures in appointment transfer and an unreliable notification system for omissions by family or carers.
Action Taken
(AI summary)
The University Health Board has developed and implemented a Corrective Action Plan for Improvement, with actions taken forward by the Primary Community & Localities Directorate.
Patricia Chapman
All Responded
2015-0159
23 Apr 2015
County Durham & Darlington
County Durham and Darlington NHS Trust
Concerns summary (AI summary)
Revised training for community hospital staff lacks provision for obtaining emergency expert medical advice from acute hospitals, potentially delaying critical guidance in urgent situations.
Action Taken
(AI summary)
The Trust has trained qualified staff at Sedgefield Community Hospital in managing deteriorating patients and hypoglycemia. They have introduced an operational procedure for community hospital staff to seek urgent advice from acute hospital staff while waiting for an ambulance, including contact numbers for medical consultants and registrars.
Efan James
All Responded
2015-0158
23 Apr 2015
Carmarthenshire & Pembrokeshire
Welsh Assembly Government
Concerns summary (AI summary)
The Welsh Assembly Government's advice on reducing cot death is confusing, specifically regarding the ambiguous "very tired" criterion for parents considering bed-sharing.
Noted
(AI summary)
The Welsh Government reviewed its guidance leaflet for parents on reducing SUDI risks following the coroner's concerns, but concluded that the leaflet should continue to be used without changes, consistent with NICE guidance.
Eliza Bowen
Historic (No Identified Response)
2015-0160
22 Apr 2015
Black Country
Bilbrook Medical Centre
Springfield House Care Home
Concerns summary (AI summary)
A patient with complex needs and known risk factors developed diabetic ketoacidosis, but critical blood glucose monitoring ceased in 2014, missing indications of evolving diabetes despite a previous raised reading.
Noel Jones
All Responded
2015-0155
22 Apr 2015
Worcestershire
Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust
Concerns summary (AI summary)
Delays in patient acceptance by the hospital and the absence of out-of-hours vascular surgery or interventional radiology services likely contributed to the deceased's death.
Action Taken
(AI summary)
The Trust has reviewed its out-of-hours arrangements for vascular surgery/interventional radiology for critically ill patients needing transfer.
Jack Rowe
Partially Responded
2015-0154
22 Apr 2015
Wiltshire & Swindon
Department for Education
Ministry of Housing, Communities & Loca…
Concerns summary (AI summary)
The absence of compulsory child-resistant fencing for private swimming pools in the UK, unlike other countries, creates a significant drowning risk for children.
Noted
(AI summary)
The Department for Communities and Local Government does not consider building regulations to be the best way to ensure swimming pool safety, as regulations apply only where building work takes place and cannot be applied retrospectively. They expect owners/occupiers to be responsible for safety on their property.
Laurence Boyens
Partially Responded
2015-0156
22 Apr 2015
London (Inner South)
General Medical Council
General Midwifery Council
Healthcare UK
+2 more
Concerns summary (AI summary)
Healthcare professionals appeared to misunderstand guidelines for managing drug dependence in adult prison settings, particularly around monitoring blood pressure before administering methadone or buprenorphine, and some nurses did not know when to withhold medication or escalate concerns.
Noted
(AI summary)
Following the PFD report, the GMC commenced a review of their earlier decision not to proceed with a complaint about the doctor's care. They have obtained the doctor's comments and will pass the case for a decision by January 8, 2015. The Nursing and Midwifery Council acknowledges receipt of the referral and states that it will go through an initial assessment process to determine how to proceed and will then write to the referring party with their decision.
Anthony Garrett
Historic (No Identified Response)
2015-0153
21 Apr 2015
Manchester (West)
Ministry of Justice
Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs
Home Office
Concerns summary (AI summary)
Readily available and misused synthetic cannabinoids, despite warnings, are dangerous and caused a fatal cardiac event. Concerns were raised about their legal status and control.
Howell Fisher
Historic (No Identified Response)
2015-0152
21 Apr 2015
Powys, Bridgend & Glamorgan Valleys
Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Healt…
Health Inspectorate Wales
Concerns summary (AI summary)
Insufficient staff led to multiple falls for a high-risk patient. There was a critical lack of falls risk assessment and handover information between hospitals.
Bruce Longden
All Responded
2015-0149
21 Apr 2015
Brighton & Hove
Brighton and Sussex University Hospital…
Sussex Partnership
Concerns summary (AI summary)
The Sussex Partnership Trust demonstrated a critical lack of awareness regarding its own internal protocols.
1 response
from Response Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust
Willow Davies
All Responded
2015-0157
21 Apr 2015
Bedfordshire & Luton
Bedford Hospital NHS Trust
Concerns summary (AI summary)
An inexperienced midwife was unsupported during delivery without prior resuscitation training, highlighting flaws in midwife allocation and the 'Supervisors of Midwives' support system.
Noted
(AI summary)
Bedford Hospital NHS Trust explains its procedures for newly qualified midwives, neonatal resuscitation training, and supervision of midwives, asserting compliance with relevant standards and effective operation of the supervision system. They state that there were no issues raised by the LSA officer to date.
Mary Hanson
Historic (No Identified Response)
2015-0148
21 Apr 2015
Preston and West Lancashire
Lancashire Teaching Hospital
Concerns summary (AI summary)
There was inadequate documentation of the risks and benefits of pituitary surgery discussed with the patient, missing information on capacity and best interest assessment forms, and a staff nurse may not have been the appropriate person to complete the proforma.
Andrew Farrow
Partially Responded
2015-0147
20 Apr 2015
Wiltshire & Swindon
Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partne…
Department of Health and Social Care
Concerns summary (AI summary)
A patient with suicidal ideation who requested admission could not be accommodated due to a lack of available beds at the mental health hospital.
Noted
(AI summary)
Avon and Wiltshire NHS Trust explains its process for managing bed pressures and out-of-area placements, stating decisions are risk-based. They also note their surprise at receiving a PFD report for an inquest where they weren't a properly interested party.
Daniel Hodgin
Partially Responded
2015-0146
20 Apr 2015
Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin
Senior Lawyer Professional Support
Legal Services, Warrington
Shropshire Council
Concerns summary (AI summary)
A crucial towpath gate, intended to be locked during high river levels, was open due to the absence of an effective notification system between agencies, posing ongoing flood safety risks.
Noted
(AI summary)
The Environment Agency explains its flood warning system and provides a direct warning service to those who sign up when the river level exceeds 2.7m ALD. They provided a technical note to Shropshire County Council to help them implement a system for closing the gate at Dorset Street using live river level information. Shropshire Council is looking to provide CCTV cameras, one looking up from the Railway Bridge to the English Bridge, one looking down the Weir. The Town Council are halfway through a programme of upgrading the light and have increased the number of columns.