'Shambles' over Graham Saffery's prescription drug death

Translating…

Graham SafferyImage copyright Family Photo
Image caption Graham Saffery died due to the taking a combination of instruments prescribed to him

The household of a man who died from a prescription drug overdose occupy mentioned communication between these that cared for him became a “shambles”.

Graham Saffery’s demise in Bedford in June 2018 became prompted by medication identified to elevate a possibility over-sedation.

His household repeatedly raised concerns in regards to the medication he became prescribed.

A coroner mentioned there became “an absence of effective communication on even a most overall level between the a broad prefer of gear of the NHS” caring for the 48-twelve months-worn.

Father-of-two Mr Saffery labored as a driver for a car dealership. In November 2015 he became focused on a crash on the A1 and about a twelve months later became prescribed oxycodone to contend with the difficulty.

His brother, Glen, mentioned being unable to work following the crash “took his identity a long way from him” and left him “a itsy-bitsy bit lost”.

Mr Saffery, a light youth rugby participant for London Irish, became diagnosed with despair in January 2018 and became prescribed amitriptyline.

Image copyright Saffery household
Image caption Graham Saffery’s father Brian (pictured) mentioned communication between NHS departments in his son’s demise “became correct non-existent”

His brother mentioned from the start of 2018 it became “it became definite he became deteriorating” and struggled with balance and hallucinations.

And the inquest heard his pharmacist had concerns Mr Saffery regarded “a itsy-bitsy bit drugged” and looked perplexed.

But Emma Whitting, senior coroner for Bedfordshire and Luton, mentioned in conclusions seen by the BBC the concerns “did not seem to were communicated” to a team mental properly being physician, who doubled his amitriptyline dose on 23 Could.

Four days later Mr Saffery became taken to Bedford Health center after collapsing on the freeway and, despite believing his situation had in all probability been the tip consequence of over-sedation from the medication, he became now not referred to the psychiatric liaison crew.

The coroner mentioned it became “likely that the amitriptyline don’t were restarted” if a referral had been made.

Image caption Graham Saffery had been in Bedford Health center weeks sooner than his demise

The pharmacist again expressed say about Mr Saffery to his GP on 13 June and the household moreover expressed an analogous concerns on the prepare the subsequent day however his medicines remained unchanged.

Mr Saffery became discovered unnecessary at his flat on 19 June by his father Brian and brother Glen, three days after closing talking to his household.

They occupy got now known as for better communication between NHS departments and extra vivid monitoring of prescriptions.

His father mentioned: “For my allotment it became a shambles from origin to remain and the communication became correct non-existent.

“When we heard it on the coroner’s court – it became farcical and on the tip of all of it there’s any individual unnecessary.”

Image copyright Contributed
Image caption Graham Saffery had been a rugby participant for London Irish at youth level

Glen Saffery added: “The overriding feeling from us is that we saved on soliciting for attend for him and he saved on going to assorted mavens and can were given attend and proper wasn’t.”

East London NHS Foundation Belief, which had been focused on Mr Saffery’s mental properly being care, mentioned it had “listened, learnt and made changes where wanted” following an investigation into his demise.

Bedford Health center NHS Belief mentioned in an announcement it became “committed to growing an efficient culture of learning where we be aware of, and where wanted, investigate patient experiences”.

“The belief has answered in paunchy to the coroner’s document feedback and continues to present the patient’s household our loyal condolences and sympathy for their loss.”

Mr Saffery’s GP prepare, Queens Park Health Centre, Bedford, mentioned: “[The practice] is committed to learning and where wanted, changes were implemented to lower the probability of one thing else relish this taking place again.”

Leave a Comment