Junior Powell

I am Professor Fiona J Wilcox, HM Senior Coroner, for the Coroner Area of Inner West London

On the 26 th and 27 th November 2024, evidence was heard touching the death of Mr Junior George Powell, who died on 6 th September 2021 at St George’s Hospital aged 57 years. Medical Cause of Death 1 a. Intestinal Ischaemia b. Aortic Dissection with arterial branch occlusion How, when, where the deceased came by his death: Mr Powell presented at approximately 22:00 to St George’s Hospital on 3 rd September of 2021 with acute onset of abdominal pain and vomiting. Initial CT scanning did not find  nay surgical cause for his symptoms. He was reviewed at 05:15 on the 4 th September  2021 by the medical registrar who was concerned about his pain and worsening clinical  condition. She discussed the CT scan results with the radiologist and surgical team. In retrospective analysis of the CT scan images subtle changes were noted that  prompted further imaging if his vascular system. This showed an abdominal aortic  dissection, reduced blow flow to the coeliac axis, the superior mesenteric artery and renal arteries and evidence of intestinal ischaemia. He was reviewed by the general surgeons, vascular surgeons and interventional radiologists, by which time he deteriorated further. He underwent resection of his bowel midmorning on 4 th September 2021 but received no surgical treatment to restore blood flow to the abdominal arteries or treat the dissection in the aorta. He was heparinised only. As a result, his condition continued to deteriorate and he developed increasing ischaemic damage to his abdominal organs. Despite further resection of his by now necrotic gall bladder and damaged bowel on 5 th September 2021, he died at 15:49 on 6 th September 2021 on GITU. If mechanical restoration of blood flow to the abdominal arteries had occurred on the morning of 4 th September 2021 or by late afternoon of 4 th September 2021, on the  balance of probabilities he would not have died at this time. As such the lack of treatment to reduced flow to the arteries via mechanical means contributed to his death. Conclusion of the Coroner as to the death: Natural Causes contributed to by lack of definitive treatment of the aortic dissection.

Evidence relevant to the matters of concern Extensive evidence was taken and exhibited and some potential Regulation 28 matters explored. Of relevance to this report: They was a more than five hour delay before Mr Powell was reviewed by the  medical registrar and he should have been in a bed in the medical ward by  01:15. This delay was caused by shortage of staff during that night and he was eventually seen by the medical registrar who should have been based on the  ward, not seeing patients in accident and emergency. Evidence was taken that confirmed that such delays are usual, not just in St  George’s Hospital, and delays in admission to the wards are caused largely by  the inability to discharge patients who are fit for discharge due to lack of suitable social support in the community. In this case, treatment for Mr Powell was time critical and as such this delay probably contributed to his death.

That delay in discharge for patients ready to be discharged due to lack of  suitable social care in the community is causing congestion in the hospital  admission process, delaying medical assessment and thus diagnosis of  conditions that need urgent treatment and increasing the likelihood of death for such patients.

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. It is for each addressee to respond to matters relevant to them.