Joan Ferguson: Prevention of future deaths report
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Date of report: 07/12/2022
Ref: 2023-0031
Deceased name: Joan Ferguson
Coroner name: Carly Henley
Coroner Area: Newcastle upon Tyne and North Tyneside
Category: Emergency services related deaths (2019 onwards)
This report is being sent to: North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust
| REGULATION 28 REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS | |
|---|---|
| THIS REPORT IS BEING SENT TO: North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust | |
| 1 | CORONER I am Carly Henley for Newcastle and North Tyneside Coroners |
| 2 | CORONER’S LEGAL POWERS I make this report under paragraph 7, Schedule 5, of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 and Regulations 28 and 29 of the Coroners (Investigations) Reigulations 2013. ht t p:/ / ww w.legislat ion .go v.uk/ ukpga/2009/25/schedule/ 5/ paragraph/7. htt p:// www.legislat ion .gov .uk/ uksi/ 2013/ 1629/ part /7 /made |
| 3 | INVESTIGATION and INQUEST On 10 May 2022 I commenced an investigation into the death of Joan Alison FERGUSON. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest . The conclusion of the inquest was Joan Alison FERGUSON died at the Royal Victoria infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne on 5th May 2022 of acute chronic congestive cardiac failure due to biventricular cardiac hypertrophy and an open fracture of her left tibia/fibula and distal femur. She had been discharged home following a short hospital admission at North Tyneside General Hospital. She had super morbid obesity and required ambulance transfer. During transfer on 3rd May 2022, she fell in the ambulance and sustained an open fracture to her tibia/fibula and a fractured left femur requiring surgical repair which was carried out the same day. She did not survive the consequences of her injuries in light of her comorbidities. 1a Acute on Chronic Cardiorespiratory Failure 1b Biventricular Cardiac Hypertrophy and Open Fracture of Left Tibia/Fibula and Distal Femur (operated on 03/05/22) 1c Morbid Obesity, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Hypertension, Cor Pulmonale, Mitral Stenosis and Liver Cirrhosis |
| 4 | CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH 64yr female Recent NTGH admission with constipation, AKI and increasing oxygen requirements was being discharged home falling getting out of ambulance (DNACPR in place) open right tib/fib+distal femur # Significant Co-morbidity 1. Super Morbid Obesity ~130kg 2. OHS/ OSA CPAP intolerant, possible COPD, Home Oxygen 3. AF, HTN, Pul HT RV dilation severe biatrial dilatation , mitral stenosis (2019) 4. DM Family attended ED as probable un-survivable injury given co-morbidity. Theatre GA and splinting of # with tibial nail and femoral retrograde nail, for analgesia and as open # L3 post op ventilated on high CVS support Nad/Ad Following morning woke and extubated onto HFNC, unfortunately no sig improvement in CVS support Deteriorated overnight with retained secretions, respiratory distress Fentanyl started Family attended and HFNC / pressor stopped Discussion with paramedics transport team Deborah (Investigating) , Coroners. Family very happy with care at RVI and opportunity to have time with Joan. |
| 5 | CORONER’S CONCERNS During the course of the inquest the evidence revealed matters giving rise to concern. In my opinion there is a risk that future deaths will occur unless action is taken. In the circumstances it is my statutory duty to report to you. |
| 6 | ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe you [REDACTED] have the power to take such action. |
| 7 | YOUR RESPONSE You are under a duty to respond to this report within 56 days of the date of this report, namely by [REDACTED] I, the coroner, may extend the period. Your response must contain details of action taken or proposed to be taken, setting out the timetable for action. Otherwise you must explain why no action is proposed. |
| 8 | COPIES and PUBLICATION i have sent a copy of my report to the Chief Coroner [REDACTED]. I am also under a duty to send the Chief Coroner a copy of your response. The Chief Coroner may publish either or both in a complete or redacted or summary form. He may send a copy of this report to any person who he believes may find it useful or of interest. You may make representations to me, the coroner, at the time of your response, about the release or the publication of your response by the Chief Coroner. |
| 9 | 7 December 2022 Carly Henley Assistant Coroner for Newcastle upon Tyne Coroners |