Clarice Hilton
2 Jun 2016 · Coroner Rachael Griffin · Manchester (West)
The coroner's concerns
1. lack of policy for physical observations
“1. During the inquest evidence was heard that:- i. The Cavendish Unit is a specialist psychiatric unit which provides assistance to patients with mental illness. The Unit does not provide medical treatment for physical illness. If a patient admitted to the Unit requires medical treatment, they will be transferred to the Medical Assessment Unit at the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary, Wigan which is part of the Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS foundation Trust. ii. To assess a patient's physical”
2. absence of guidance for refusing physical observations
“Ihave concerns with regard to the following:- i. That there is no policy or guidance in place within the psychiatric units governed by 5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Foundation Trust as to what action to take when a patient is refusing to allow the nursing staff to undertake observations to establish the condition of their physical health. I therefore request that consideration be given to establishing a policy within the Trust for the monitoring of the physical health of patients within the psychiatric”