Mildred Clark
25 Apr 2019 · Coroner Sonia Hayes · Kent (North-East)
The coroner's concerns
1. paramedic performing unauthorized hernia reduction
“A senior member of ambulance crew gave evidence that reducing a hernia was not the role of a paramedic and a doctor should not instruct a paramedic to carry out this procedure particularly when they have stated they are not trained”
2. inappropriate reduction of suspected hernia
“a suspected hernia is not a medical emergency and there was no pressing requirement to undertake the procedure that could lead to complications if incorrectly carried out”
3. missed strangulated hernia
“where there is pain, swelling and hardness as in this case, if a hernia is suspected it would be reasonable to consider if this was a case of strangulated hernia as this could be a medical emergency and an attempt to reduce it cause significant complications and a patient should be taken to hospital”
4. pressure to act without adequate assessment
“staff may have felt pressured to act to avoid hospital admission during a period of winter pressure”
Responses
No published response was found on judiciary.uk.