Philip Taylor
2 Feb 2024 · Coroner Kate Robertson · North Wales (East and Central)
The coroner's concerns
1. lack of information sharing between NHS Health Board and private psychiatric unit
“The Health Board utilises facilities out of area for acute psychiatric care when there are no available beds in the NHS in North Wales. I was informed that the patients, however, remain the responsibility of the Health Board. During the deceased's time at Ty Grosvenor it does not appear that any/all relevant information was shared between the two organisations e.g. deceased's progress, medication, treatment etc, except for few telephone conversations.”
2. absence of written agreement or standard operating procedure for information sharing
“There was no evidence at Inquest of any written agreement or standard operating procedure or similar between the Health Board and private facility as to minimum standard requirements or expectations between both organisations e.g. what documentation should be shared, how it is to be shared, when documentation should be shared, the timeliness of sharing documentation etc.”
3. absence of minimum standards for inter-organizational communication
“It is concerning that such minimum standards are not set out and agreed between the Health Board and this private psychiatric unit in a situation where many patients are likely to be treated there. It is not known whether or not such minimum standards or Agreement exists with other out of area private units.”
4. risk of future deaths due to inadequate information sharing standards
“In the event that patients are to be treated in private units out of the area then there will be a risk of future deaths if such minimum standards regarding sharing of information and communication are not set and agreed between the Health Board and private facility. There had been no consideration of this as part of the actions arising from the Health Board's own investigation.”