Source · Prevention of Future Deaths
Lyndsey Holt
Ref: 2017-0096
Date: 29 Mar 2017
Coroner: Nicola Mundy
Area: South Yorkshire (East)
Responses identified: 0 / 2
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Methadone was prescribed unsafely over the phone without a face-to-face consultation, leading to a lack of critical patient information and an inappropriate large supply for a methadone-naive individual.
Date
29 Mar 2017
56-day deadline
24 May 2017
Responses identified
0 of 2
Coroner's concerns
Methadone was prescribed unsafely over the phone without a face-to-face consultation, leading to a lack of critical patient information and an inappropriate large supply for a methadone-naive individual.
View full coroner's concerns
_ The circumstances in which the methadone was prescribed namely: Doing so over the telephone with no face to face consultation.
(2) Consequent lack of detail regarding: 2.1 the drugs being taken by Miss Holt 2.2 the frequency with which they were being taken 2.3 the degree if any, of her dependence 2.4 absence of assessment of any psychological issues
3) Providing a methadone naive patient with a 7 supply: Lack of medical review during the initial phase_
(2) Consequent lack of detail regarding: 2.1 the drugs being taken by Miss Holt 2.2 the frequency with which they were being taken 2.3 the degree if any, of her dependence 2.4 absence of assessment of any psychological issues
3) Providing a methadone naive patient with a 7 supply: Lack of medical review during the initial phase_
Report sections
Investigation and inquest
On 11/04/2016 commenced an investigation into the death of Lyndsey Holt; 36 The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 29 March 2017. The conclusion of the inquest was Natural Causes_ The cause of death was Ia. Shock and haemorrhage due to 1b Perforated Gastric Ulcer.
Circumstances of the death
Miss Holt was 37 weeks pregnant with her third child. There had been no complications during that pregnancy save that she had suffered from severe and painful varicose veins. In 2011 Miss Holt had been prescribed with methadone following a telephone conversation with the prescribing GP who considered that her reported history included reference to there having being a lengthy dependence on Codeine and also that she had taken Oxycodone and Tramadol: Specific details of the frequency of usage and amount taken could not be provided to the court: The dose of methadone had been significantly reduced during Miss Holt's second and third pregnancies. It appeared that as well as methadone, Miss Holt took paracetamol for pain relief of the varicose veins and, when particularly severe, took her partner's Oxycodone medication. On the 2nd April 2016 Miss Holt collapsed at 18.55 due to a gastric ulcer having perforated and there being catastrophic bleeding thereafter: She was conveyed by ambulance to the Rotherham Hospital: On leaving the address a pre-alert was requested from the ambulance crew via Control but Control failed to pass the pre-alert onto the receiving hospital Had done so clinicians at Rotherham would have been aware of Miss Holt's impending arrival, likely timing of arrival and the seriousness of the situation they were about to face_ Once Miss Holt arrived at the A&E Department of the Rotherham Hospital an emergency caesarean section was rapidly performed , extensive resuscitation measures put in place, she underwent a splenectomy, repair of a ruptured gastric ulcer and towards the end of her life a hysterectomy in a last ditch effort to try and save her. The overwhelming coagulopathy she had developed and shutting down of organs led to her death on the morning of the 3" April 2016 from shock and haemorrhage due to perforated gastric ulcer. Coroner's Court and Office; Doncaster Crown Court; College Road, Doncaster; DNI 3HS Tel 01302 737135 Fax 01302 736365 and they
Action should be taken
In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and believe you, The Practice Manager And Senior Partner; Dinnington Group Practice have the power to take such action.
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Report details
- Reference
- 2017-0096
- Date of report
- 29 March 2017
- Coroner
- Nicola Mundy
- Coroner area
- South Yorkshire (East)
Responses identified
Responses identified
0 of 2
2 responses not yet linked
Organisations named in PFD reports are normally expected to respond within 56 days. Deadline: 24 May 2017.
Sent to
- Dinnington Group Practice
- Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust