Richard Worswick

I am Alison Mutch, senior coroner, for the coroner area of Manchester South

On 4th June 2025 I commenced an investigation into the death of Richard  Charles WORSWICK. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 16th October 2025. The conclusion of the inquest was Narrative: Died of the  complications of a spinal wound when the significant deterioration in the  wound was not recognised until he became seriously unwell on the 17th May 2025.The medical cause of death was: 1a) Sepsis 1b) Infected spinal wound;  and I) Parkinson’s Disease, Frailty.

Richard Charles Worswick had multiple health conditions including Parkinson’s  Disease. He had become increasingly frail and had to move to Bamford Grange  on a nursing care placement because of his poor health and complex needs. He developed an abscess in his spinal area because of his underlying poor health  and immobility. A wound care plan was put in place for this wound whilst he  was in Stepping Hill Hospital. He was discharged back to Bamford Grange on  2nd May 2025. It is unclear what information was communicated by Stepping  Hill Hospital to Bamford Grange around wound management. His wound was  noted to be deteriorating, and advice was sought from Tissue Viability Nurse team. It was not felt that the wound was infected at that time. On 17th May  2025 at about 05:30am he was noted to have become unwell. His observations  were taken. Observations had not been taken the previous day. The  observations identified that he was seriously unwell, and an ambulance was  called. He was taken to Stepping Hill Hospital where the wound on his spine was found to be severely infected and to have led to him developing sepsis. Despite  treatment he deteriorated and died at Stepping Hill Hospital on 19th May 2025.

During the course of the inquest the evidence revealed matters giving rise to concern. In my opinion there is a risk that future deaths could occur unless  action is taken. In the circumstances it is my statutory duty to report to you. The MATTERS OF CONCERN are as follows. – The inquest heard evidence that when he was discharged to the care home  from the acute hospital that the care home felt that they did not understand  what was required regarding wound care because the care plan regarding  wound care was not clear .The Trust did not have a copy of what information  had been provided. As a consequence of this, there was a lack of clarity  regarding wound management.   The Trust did not the inquest was told have a clear procedure that ensured that there was a clear, effective and documented communication system in relation  to care plans that included wound management.   The home did not have a clear escalation policy for actions to be taken when a  resident arrived, and their staff were unclear how they were being asked to  manage a wound by the hospital. In addition, the documentation surrounding  concerns and attempts to escalate was limited.

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