Recommendation - Hampshire Constabulary, September 2024
We identified organisational learning following an independent investigation when a man was arrested for an outstanding warrant, but the police were not provided with information from a local hospital about his recent hospital stay.
The delays in communication led to a wait in custody before the police were notified the man had sepsis. He was sent to hospital where he later died.
IOPC reference
Recommendations
The IOPC recommends that Hampshire Constabulary creates and implements a memorandum of understanding (MOU) regarding sharing patient information with University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust.
This follows an investigation in which a man was found by police in a hospital gown and wheelchair in central Southampton. The man was arrested for an outstanding warrant, but the police were not provided with information by Southampton General Hospital about the man’s recent hospital stay and were told they would need to complete a data access request form.
The investigation found that Hampshire Constabulary does not have an MOU with Southampton NHS Foundation Trust on sharing patient information and due to the nature of this case, the IOPC believe it is important for effective lines of communication to be created. The delays in communication in this case led to an hour wait in custody before the police were notified the man had sepsis. He was conveyed to hospital where he later passed away.
Accepted
This recommendation has been assigned to the Force Mental Health Team, who have taken primacy of this from 20th Nov 2024.
An MOU covering data sharing will be produced covering all Acute Hospitals within the Integrated Care Service area (which will also include University Hospital Southampton).
This will sit under the governance of the Local Policing ACC.
PSD Organisational Learning Officer will track progress with The Force Mental Health Lead.