Upali Meththananda
17 Jun 2025 · Coroner Catherine Wood · North East Kent
The coroner's concerns
1. inadequate clinical documentation
“I was concerned about the documentation as the inquest process had been hampered by the poor documentation and whilst I accepted that clinicians may have been providing care and not always documenting the care provided during this time the importance of documentation cannot be understated. However it was not just in the emergency setting where the clinical notes were lacking the clinical notes did not record key events and observations taken even in the period prior to his collapse. Clinical obs”
2. failure to document inter-organisational communications and procedural compliance
“Discussions between clinicians at other organisations were also not documented and forms used by the hospital for procedures were not used as required even by experienced clinicians. Whilst I heard some improvements had been made by the witness who presented the Trust's action plan I remained concerned that the failure to document procedures and observations as well as advice given from third parties could lead to clinicians who take over care for a patient not having a full picture and leading”
3. non‑use of standard procedural forms
“forms used by the hospital for procedures were not used as required even by experienced clinicians”