Ernest Harper
9 May 2014 · Coroner Ian Pears · Bedfordshire & Luton
The coroner's concerns
1. fall between safety barrier and back of vehicle
“That it was possible to fall between the safety barrier and the back of the vehicle”
2. reliance on voluntary health/mobility information
“That details of a passenger's health and/or mobility (for the purpose of risk assessing the passenger's safety when accessing and egressing the vehicle) is dependant upon information supplied voluntarily by the passenger and/or his family rather than by a formal assessment”
Responses
2014-0223-Response-by-Bedford-Borough-Council.pdf ↗· Bedford Borough Council
Stated action · 14 July 2014
“Devices have been retro- fitted to the doors on all Ford Transit vehicles, the type of vehicle the accident occurred on. This blocks the gaps between the back of the vehicle and the handrail.”
Stated action · 14 July 2014
“newly redesigned Client Transport Referral Form has also been devised by the Transport Operations Group, in conjunction with Adult Services. The form which has been re-designed through consultation with our Occupational Therapists will focus on the person's functional ability and will be used for initial transport requests, as well as requests for reinstatement of the transport service when there has been a break in service due to medical reasons. This new form will capture information taken from the”
Stated action · 14 July 2014
“A system has been produced and this will be implemented by 14 July 2014, to ensure that any information provided verbally by Day Centre staff to vehicle staff on arrival regarding the client is also provided in a written format. The written form includes guidance notes for staff with regard to what type of information must be relayed.”