Source · Prevention of Future Deaths
Derek Dudley
Ref: 2017-0284
Date: 21 Sep 2017
Coroner: Anna Loxton
Area: Surrey
Responses identified: 0 / 3
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A community alarm operator ended a call with an elderly man who had fallen before he could get up, without checking for emergency contacts. This raises concerns about fall response protocols and subsequent safety.
Date
21 Sep 2017
56-day deadline
22 Jan 2018 est.
Responses identified
0 of 3
Coroner's concerns
A community alarm operator ended a call with an elderly man who had fallen before he could get up, without checking for emergency contacts. This raises concerns about fall response protocols and subsequent safety.
View full coroner's concerns
Emergency contacts are not informed
Report sections
Investigation and inquest
An investigation was commenced on 7ih March 2017 and the inquest into the death of Derek Clifford Dudley was opened on 25mh 2017 . It was resumed and concluded on 15th September 2017 . Ifound the medical cause of death to Ia. Hypothermia II, Cerebral vessel atheroma and general I determined that Mr Dudley had succumbed to hypothermia fallen outside the back door of his home address and [ returned a conclusion of 'Accidental Death' RT4563 May be: frailty having
Circumstances of the death
Derek Dudley was found deceased from hypothermia outside the back door of his home address shortly after Ipm on the afternoon of 6uh March 2017. He had been cooking himself dinner and portion of frozen fish was found near his body, his freezer being located in an outbuilding His last known contact was on Sth March 2017 at 2.24am when he activated his community alarm and reported that he had fallen over in his kitchen_ The operator remained on the line for 10 minutes whilst Mr Dudley tried to get up, then ended the call before he was able to do S0, him to press the alarm again if he needed help. Mr Dudley had stated he thought he could get up without an ambulance attending at the start of the call and was not asked if he would his emergency contacts to be informed Mr Dudley' $ brother, gave evidence at the inquest that he did not believe he would have been cooking his dinner in the early hours of 5th March as this was not his routine, and therefore he believed the fall leading to his death was a separate later incident from that which caused Mr Dudley to activate his alarm: Mr Dudley had also stated he had fallen inside his kitchen but was found deceased outside. However, this was the last known contact Mr Dudley had and it is not known whether this fall contributed to his subsequent death;
Action should be taken
RT4563 again they they - during
Copies sent to
Ihave sent a copy of this report to the following: 1, See names in paragraph 1 above
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Report details
- Reference
- 2017-0284
- Date of report
- 21 September 2017
- Coroner
- Anna Loxton
- Coroner area
- Surrey
Responses identified
Responses identified
0 of 3
3 responses not yet linked
Organisations named in PFD reports are normally expected to respond within 56 days. Deadline: 22 Jan 2018 (estimated).
Sent to
- CSS Telecare Service
- Elmbridge and Ewell Borough Council
- Tandridge District Council