Geoffrey Hill
2 Jun 2021 · Coroner Joanne Lees · Black Country
The coroner's concerns
1. elderly patient in isolation area without falls risk assessment
“Mr [name redacted] remained in the A & E isolation area for over 7 hours without any falls risk assessment being conducted”
2. absence of national falls risk assessment guidelines
“The inquest heard in evidence that there were no national guidelines on the use of falls risk assessments in A & E departments”
3. absence of national trolley rail assessment requirements
“The inquest heard in evidence there was no national requirements or guidance for a trolley rail assessment to be completed in A & E”
4. no cognitive screening on admission
“An investigation revealed no abbreviated mental test (AMT) had been conducted on admission to ED”
5. lack of therapy assessment for at-risk patient
“An investigation revealed no therapy assessment had been conducted as Mr [name redacted] remained in the isolation area awaiting the results of further tests”
6. elderly patients exposed to falls risk due to delayed assessment
“I am concerned that vulnerable and elderly patients in A & E can spend long periods without any falls risk assessments being undertaken placing them at risk”