Valerie Hill

I am Graeme D Hughes, H M Senior Coroner for the area of South Wales Central.

On 20 March 2022 I commenced an investigation into the death of Valerie HILL . The  investigation concluded at the end of the inquest 29/05/2025. The conclusion of the inquest jury was a Narrative. The Cause of Valerie’s death was found to be: 1a Pnuemonia 1b Fall leading to periprosthetic fracture of femur 1c II Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), frailty of old age

Valerie died by pneumonia and a fall leading to a periprosthetic fracture of femur. COPD and frailty of old age were contributing factors. Valerie died on 11 March 2022 at Royal Glamorgan Hospital, following a fall at Ty Bargoed Care Home on 7 March 2022.  She endured a long lie on the floor of over 14 hours whilst waiting for an ambulance to  attend. It is possible that this long lie exacerbated known medical conditions. It is  probable that the lack of risk assessments completed and referrals for Valerie during her time at Ty Bargoed meant appropriate precautions were not taken to prevent further falls. It is possible, due to long ambulance handover times across Cwm Taf Morgannwg Health Board and inadequate systems in place to effectively manage patient flow that  this contributed to the long lie.

During the course of the inquest the evidence revealed matters giving rise to concern. In my opinion there is a risk that future deaths will occur unless action is taken. In the  circumstances it is my statutory duty to report to you. The MATTERS OF CONCERN are as follows. (1)  The identification of, and reduction of falls risks was a central feature of the  evidence in the inquest. WAST, in particular had highlighted that falls in care/nursing  homes have contributed significantly to the volume of activity in the community, having a domino effect/impact on delayed hospital handovers. (2) The material provided at, and post Inquest is absent in evidencing that staff at Ty  Bargoed receive any specific, relevant, or effective training in respect of the identification & documenting of falls risks to residents, and the mitigation that can be put in place to reduce those risks. In particular, how the assessments ought to be approached and completed. The material filed, largely relates to employee safety in  being able to move and handle residents appropriately. That, I understand is not the aim of the All-Wales NHS Patient Moving and Handling Assessment Documents I was  taken to at the Inquest. (3) the material filed with me focuses upon how to move a fallen person/their management post fall, not the identification /assessment/documentation of risk in order to prevent/mitigate the happening of such events. (4) The exhibits to your statement at KL 1 page 58 appear to suggest that the risk  assessment forms ought to be completed/counter-signed by a Registered Healthcare Professional. I received no evidence that such a practice was/is in operation at Ty  Bargoed (5) Your Exhibit KL1 at page 27 references regard being had to Falls Prevention  Strategy or Policy – I have received no evidence that MTCBC have such available and in place to inform Care Home’s and their staff in preparation for the completion of a  resident’s falls risk assessment (6) Whilst I am reassured to an extent in relation to the management and retention of  incident & risk assessment documentation created in Ty Bargoed moving forwards, I am unclear as to what action, if any, MTCBC’s Health and Safety Unit take upon receipt of falls notifications (as described in [REDACTED]’s evidence) and what, if any, analysis/assessment/communication is undertaken in respect of the same with a view to supplementing the ongoing falls risk assessment and collateral mitigating measures.

In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe you and your organisation have the power to take such action.