Source · Prevention of Future Deaths
Caroline Carter Crowther
Ref: 2014-0418
Date: 24 Sep 2014
Area: Worcestershire
0 responses identified · 1 indexed addressee
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AI-generated concerns summaryThere was a significant difference in understanding among paramedics and management regarding the Trust's policy on compelling psychiatric patients to hospital, particularly concerning the use of physical coercion without police presence.
Date
24 Sep 2014
56-day deadline
19 Nov 2014 est.
estimated from the report date
Responses identified
0 of 1
Coroner's concerns
There was a significant difference in understanding among paramedics and management regarding the Trust's policy on compelling psychiatric patients to hospital, particularly concerning the use of physical coercion without police presence.
View full coroner's concerns
(1) The Paramedic who gave evidence expressed a view that it was Trust Policy" that a psychiatric patient whether or not they had capacity should not be compelled to go to hospital even when it was universally agreed that she was grievously ili: (2) The Paramedic concerned indicated that without the presence of the police to phyiscally coerce the patient; Paramedics within the Trust had been told that they should not become _involved_in phyisical coercion
(3) The Area Support Officer who gave evidence flatly contradicted the Paramedic and said that it was NOT Trust policy to act in this way and that Paramedics could and should (in appropriate cases) compel a patient in need to attend hospital
(3) The Area Support Officer who gave evidence flatly contradicted the Paramedic and said that it was NOT Trust policy to act in this way and that Paramedics could and should (in appropriate cases) compel a patient in need to attend hospital
Report sections
Investigation and inquest
On 17th April 2014 commenced an investigation into the death of Caroling Carter Crowlher then aged 65 years. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 23rd September 2014. The conclusion of the inquest was natural causes the medical cause of death being 1(a) bronchopneumonia, 1(b) acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, 2 Pyometra, idiopathic left ventricular hypertrophy
Circumstances of the death
Mrs Crowther was a patient detained by virtue of Section 3 of the Mental Health Act, Her physical health deteriorated and the psychiatric clincians called for an emergency ambulance to take her to Worcestershire Royal Hospital. The paramedics who attended took the view that she did have capacity to refuse medical treatment nowithstanding the view of the consultant psychiatrists and declined to take her to Worcestershire Royal Hospital. the following day Mrs Crowther's heallh deteriorated further and she died,
Action should be taken
In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths ad | believe you have {he power to take such action; such action being to ensure that all Paramedics are fully aware of Trust in dealing with mentally disordered palients and the provisions of the Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act
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Report details
- Reference
- 2014-0418
- Date of report
- 24 September 2014
- Coroner area
- Worcestershire
Responses identified
Responses identified
0 of 1
1 response not yet linked
Organisations named in PFD reports are normally expected to respond within 56 days. Deadline: 19 Nov 2014 (estimated from the report date).
Sent to
- West Midlands Ambulance Trust