Rebecca Handcock acted for the local authority at an inquest into the death of MR who died at the care home where she lived.
MR was a 79-year-old woman with advanced vascular dementia. The local authority was responsible for her placement at the care home (and her deprivation of liberty there), and had safeguarding and other oversight duties in respect of the home.
Background to the inquest
In May 2025, MR died after eating lunch when food became stuck in her airway and she suffered a cardiac arrest.
Inquest
The inquest took place over 2 days and considered:
• the response of the nursing staff including how quickly a 999 call was made
• the time it took to nursing staff to start CPR on MR
• staff confusion about when MR’s ‘Do not attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation order’ applied.
Coroner’s conclusion
The coroner gave a narrative conclusion.
He made a prevention of future deaths report which was sent to the nursing home head of operations.
The local authority safeguarding lead gave evidence about actions taken by the local authority to monitor the care home and ensure the raising of standards.