Jeanine Huggins
26 Jan 2024 · Coroner Samantha Goward · Norfolk
The coroner's concerns
1. patient placed in side room without risk assessment
“There is no requirement for a risk assessment to be carried out before a patient is placed in a side room (other than for risk of falls), so as to identify if they will have any risks and difficulties associated with communicating their needs to staff in an emergency situation.”
2. patient unable to use call bell without alternatives
“There is no formal requirement to ensure that a patient is risk assessed with regard to ability to use a call bell and, if they are unable, to consider suitable alternatives, especially when in a side room and there is no other way to attract staff attention.”