Keith Heatley
26 Feb 2019 · Coroner Ian Boyes · South Wales Central
The coroner's concerns
1. lack of policy for reviewing and assessing patients who are voluntarily admitted to hospitals before they go on home
“The evidence of a Consultant [name redacted] who was a Clinical Advisor to a Significant Incident Review stated that there was a policy in England for reviewing and assessing patients who are voluntarily admitted to hospitals before they go on home leave. There is no such policy or procedure in Wales.”
2. reliance on undefined best practice for patient guidance
“As a result of there being no policy in Wales, hospital doctors and Nursing staff are reliant on 'best practice' however this concept is not defined nor does it provide a sufficient level of guidance for patients and staff.”
3. insufficient procedures for staff to liaise with family and CPN about leave preparedness
“There were no or insufficient procedures in place for hospital staff to fiaise with the patient's family and CPN when leave is considered to examine the preparedness of the family and whether there were systems of support in place.”