Philip Hawkins

I am David Pojur, Assistant Coroner for North Wales (East and Central)

On 29.03.23 an investigation was commenced into the death of Philip Hawkins (DOB 09.07.1925) who died on 23.03.23. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 18.07.23. The conclusion of the inquest was Accident.

The circumstances of the death are as follows :- On 18.3.23 Mr Hawkins, aged 97, suffered a fall at home and was transferred by ambulance to hospital where he subsequently died.

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. The MATTERS OF CONCERN are as follows Entry into Hospital and Delay to bed allocation

1. Mr Hawkins arrived at hospital at 13:25 on 18.03.23 and remained in the ambulance until 23:42 when he was ‘offloaded’ onto a corridor in the Emergency Department (ED).
2. He was moved to a rapid assessment room in the ED at 11:33 on 19.03.23 and then into a cubicle at 21:47, the same day.
3. Mr Hawkins was eventually allocated to a bed from the ED, at 19:17 on 20.03.23.

Care Concerns in the ED

1. On 18.03.2 at 02:49 there was no space for a nurse to attend to Mr Hawkins’ personal care needs or assess his pressure areas.
2. On 19.03.23 at 12:18, Mr Hawkins needed ‘repeat bloods’ but this was never done nor highlighted to clinicians.
3. On 19.03.23 at 00:31 Mr Hawkins was given oxygen but there are no nursing notes to indicate why or whether this was discussed with a clinician.
4. There is no written nursing documentation in relation to Mr Hawkins’ care from 21:52 on 19.03.23.
5. Mr Hawkins was nil by mouth but this was not made known to visitors who fed him.

Staffing

1. There were insufficient nursing and clinical staff to attend to the numbers of patients as outstanding nursing shifts went unfulfilled on the nursing rota.
2. Due to the presenting circumstances, staff were unable to fulfil their role in caring for Mr Hawkins.
3. Specifically, I am concerned as to the wait and delay Mr Hawkins had to endure to enter hospital and the same in respect of being provided with a bed; the inability of staff to tend to him; the lack of available staff and the lack of written record of assessment and treatment.

In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe you have the power to take such action.