Colin Foley

I am Professor Paul Marks, Senior Coroner, for the Coroner Area of City of Kingston Upon Hull and the County of the East Riding of Yorkshire.

On 10 th October 2025, I commenced an investigation into the death of Colin Foley, aged 84 years. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 11 th March 2026, the  narrative conclusion of the inquest was: Colin Foley was admitted to Hull Royal Infirmary on the 8th June 2025 with decompensated cardiac failure. He received treatment with intravenous  frusemide according to standard practice. The intravenous cannula in his right forearm became painful, failed, and had to be removed. It subsequently became infected and this developed into cellulitis, sepsis, which caused  multiorgan failure and Mr Foley’s death on the 28th June 2025. Whilst the  infection could have been picked up earlier and antibiotics commenced, it  cannot be said on the evidence heard, that earlier treatment would have prevented his death.

The findings of fact are attached.

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. Evidence was heard at inquest that the insertion of intravenous access devices are frequently performed procedures in clinical practice which require meticulous  attention to detail, not only in their insertion and maintenance, but also in the  documentation surrounding them, as well as awareness of associated complications,  some of which may be life threatening, that may occur. Whilst the Hull University  Teaching Hospitals have instituted on-going training which will continue in perpetuity, I believe that the NHS at large should be aware of issues that relate to these commonly performed procedures.

In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe you and your organisation has the power to take such action. This may include, for example, providing on-going training and audit relating to the use of these ubiquitous medical devices.