Gordon Long

I am Graeme Irvine, senior coroner, for the coroner area of East London

On 11th July 2023, this court commenced an investigation into the death of Gordon Long aged 73 years. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 18th  September 2024. The court returned a narrative conclusion, “ George Richard Long died in hospital on 8th July 2023 the day after necessary surgery to amputate his left leg. Mr Long died due to complications of surgery along with the  effects of multiple, pre-existing, serious medical conditions.” Mr Gordon’s medical cause of death was determined as; 1a: Infective Exacerbation Of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease And Congestive Cardiac Failure 1b: Septic/Gangrenous Left Foot Treated With Left Above Knee Amputation, Ischaemic Heart Disease And Extensive Metastatic Carcinoma To The Liver 1c.Peripheral Vascular Disease II. Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Atherosclerosis, Dyslipidaemia, Cirrhosis Of The Liver, Depression And Previous Left Sided Cerebrovascular Accident

Mr Long was admitted to hospital by ambulance on 1/7/23. A preliminary diagnosis of  dry gangrene of the left foot was arrived at in the ED. A care plan was arrived at that  involved amongst other things, admission onto a ward and referral to the vascular team for assessment. Mr Long was not assessed by a vascular specialist until 6th July 2023, by which time he had suffered a significant clinical decline. Surgery to amputate the effected limb was  undertaken on 7th July 2023, he died on 8th July 2023.

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. –

1. Despite undertaking a patient safety incident investigation (“PSII”) the Trust was unable to explain why Mr Long was not referred to the vascular team after he  was admitted from ED into the medical receiving unit (“MRU”) on the morning of 2nd July 2023. The Trust struggled to identify the consultant in charge of Mr  Long’s treatment when on the MRU and could not demonstrate that the consultant was spoken to as part of the PSII investigation. The inadequate  standard of the investigation makes the court doubt the effectiveness of the Trust to identify and reflect upon future risks to patients.
2. Although an action plan had been agreed by the Trust to remediate the failures in care that led to the delayed referral, no clear evidence of change was  demonstrated to the court.

In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe you [AND/OR your organisation] have the power to take such action.