Gavin Pedleham

Caroline Topping HM Assistant Coroner, for the County of Surrey

The inquest was opened on the 12th May 2022 and resumed and concluded before a Coroner on the 9th December 2022. The cause of death was Morphine and Ethanol Toxicity The Coroner found that Gavin Peter Pedleham inadvertently drank a dose of oramorph at a family Christmas event which, in combination with the alcohol he had consumed, led to his death at home at 45, Hurst Green Road, Oxted on the 26th December 2021. The Conclusion was that he met his death by Accident.

Gavin was present at a family Christmas party on the 25th December 2021. One of the guests present at the party suffered from chronic back pain for which he was prescribed, inter alia, oramorph, on a PRN basis. This was prescribed in accordance with national guidelines at 300ml dispensed on a monthly basis. The oramorph was taken to the party for the guest to use for pain relief. It was placed in the kitchen and drunk from a glass. A dose was poured out and inadvertently left in the glass. Gavin, who had consumed a significant quantity of alcohol, drank it by mistake. The following morning, he was found dead on the sofa. The conclusion was that Gavin met his death by accident.

During the course of the inquest the evidence revealed matters giving rise to concern. In my opinion there is a risk that future deaths could occur unless action is taken. In the circumstances it is my statutory duty to report to you. The MATTERS OF CONCERN are as follows. The evidence showed that:

1. Oramorph is a controlled drug the storage, handling and administration of which in institutional settings is highly regulated. However, there are no similar regulations which govern its use in a community setting. There is no requirement for the recipient of the drug in the community to keep it in a safe place and ensure that it cannot be accessed by others.

In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe your organisation has the power to take such action.