North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust
NHS Trust
Received
No AI summary available.
Source · Prevention of Future Deaths
Lesley Higginson
Ref: 2026-0292
Date: 10 Jun 2026
Coroner: Jacqueline Devonish
Area: Cheshire
Responses identified: 1 / 1
View PDF
Response deadline: 8 October 2026 (estimated).
Date
10 Jun 2026
56-day deadline
8 Oct 2026 est.
Responses identified
1 of 1
Coroner's concerns
Mrs Higginson benefitted from a care package designed for her independence and welfare, engaging a remote means of making daily contact with her in the least intrusive manner. Failed contact was followed up by a call to the ambulance service which indicated that they would not attend.
View full coroner's concerns
Mrs Higginson benefitted from a care package designed for her independence and welfare, engaging a remote means of making daily contact with her in the least intrusive manner. Failed contact was followed up by a call to the ambulance service which indicated that they would not attend.
It is important to know whether there is an established policy for declining welfare calls, and if so, when it was introduced. It leaves patients in a difficult position when aligned with the constabulary Right Care Right Person (RCRP) policy which was published nationally on 23 June 2023 and implemented in the Cheshire region in January 2024. The RCRP policy states that the police in Cheshire (and in other areas nationally) will not respond to welfare check calls when healthcare are best placed to support those who may be in crisis. It is unclear from the ambulance service response whether a request for a welfare check, in the circumstances of this death, is to be deemed to be healthcare related and whether the ambulance service properly rejected the request, on the grounds stated.
It is important to know whether there is an established policy for declining welfare calls, and if so, when it was introduced. It leaves patients in a difficult position when aligned with the constabulary Right Care Right Person (RCRP) policy which was published nationally on 23 June 2023 and implemented in the Cheshire region in January 2024. The RCRP policy states that the police in Cheshire (and in other areas nationally) will not respond to welfare check calls when healthcare are best placed to support those who may be in crisis. It is unclear from the ambulance service response whether a request for a welfare check, in the circumstances of this death, is to be deemed to be healthcare related and whether the ambulance service properly rejected the request, on the grounds stated.
Responses
Report sections
Investigation and inquest
On 27 January 2026 I commenced an investigation into the death of Lesley Katherine HIGGINSON aged 72. The inquest concluded on 4th June 2026.
Circumstances of the death
Ms Higginson, a medically vulnerable adult, was found deceased at her home address on 18 January 2026 following a concern for welfare raised by neighbours. Due to a desire to remain in her own home and not be attended by carers several times a day, Adult Social care arranged a package of care through SOS Homecare including medication management (epilepsy and other medication) and remote welfare checks.
Alertacall, was commissioned to ensure remote contact with her on a daily basis through a call button service known as the Okay Each Day Service. Alertacall had been unable to speak to her over the weekend she died.
Mrs Higginson also benefitted from a remote medication delivery service, The Medication Support Company. A new medication safe and computer screen had been installed in her home on 13 January 2026 which was operated remotely at fixed times of the day. She had not answered the calls on Friday 16 January resulting in a team member visit to her home. She was present.
On Saturday 17 January there was no contact with her by the medication team, and in accordance with the medication support policy an escalation visit would be due after 24 hours of no contact. A plan was made to visit to check on her welfare on Sunday 18 January but she had died prior to this visit being conducted.
In accordance with Alertacall policies and prior agreement with Mrs Higginson, a neighbour was contacted on Saturday 17 January and asked to conduct a welfare check. The neighbour, reported back that contact had not been established. Alertacall then escalated to the emergency services. The police declined attendance for a welfare call. The ambulance service accepted the welfare call initially but later called back rejecting the request to attend stating it was not their policy to accept welfare checks if there is no confirmation someone is in the property. Alertacall recontacted the neighbour who then reported having seen Mrs Higginson out riding her scooter with the dog that day. The escalation was closed having established contact with a neighbour.
On Sunday 18 January, there was no answer from Mrs Higginson to Alertacall and the neighbour raised concerns confirming that emergency services had been contacted. The ambulance service arrived at 12:34, and entry was forced by the Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, finding Mrs Higginson deceased on her bed, and confirmed her death at 13:03.
Alertacall, was commissioned to ensure remote contact with her on a daily basis through a call button service known as the Okay Each Day Service. Alertacall had been unable to speak to her over the weekend she died.
Mrs Higginson also benefitted from a remote medication delivery service, The Medication Support Company. A new medication safe and computer screen had been installed in her home on 13 January 2026 which was operated remotely at fixed times of the day. She had not answered the calls on Friday 16 January resulting in a team member visit to her home. She was present.
On Saturday 17 January there was no contact with her by the medication team, and in accordance with the medication support policy an escalation visit would be due after 24 hours of no contact. A plan was made to visit to check on her welfare on Sunday 18 January but she had died prior to this visit being conducted.
In accordance with Alertacall policies and prior agreement with Mrs Higginson, a neighbour was contacted on Saturday 17 January and asked to conduct a welfare check. The neighbour, reported back that contact had not been established. Alertacall then escalated to the emergency services. The police declined attendance for a welfare call. The ambulance service accepted the welfare call initially but later called back rejecting the request to attend stating it was not their policy to accept welfare checks if there is no confirmation someone is in the property. Alertacall recontacted the neighbour who then reported having seen Mrs Higginson out riding her scooter with the dog that day. The escalation was closed having established contact with a neighbour.
On Sunday 18 January, there was no answer from Mrs Higginson to Alertacall and the neighbour raised concerns confirming that emergency services had been contacted. The ambulance service arrived at 12:34, and entry was forced by the Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, finding Mrs Higginson deceased on her bed, and confirmed her death at 13:03.
Action should be taken
In my opinion unless action is taken to address the above concerns then there is a significant risk of future deaths and I believe each of you have the power to take such action.
Similar PFD reports
Report details
- Reference
- 2026-0292
- Date of report
- 10 June 2026
- Coroner
- Jacqueline Devonish
- Coroner area
- Cheshire
Responses identified
Responses identified
1 of 1
All listed responses identified
Organisations named in PFD reports are normally expected to respond within 56 days. Deadline: 8 Oct 2026 (estimated).
Sent to
- North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust