Wolverhampton prison staff to be first aid trained following death of inmate

Father-of-two John Devoy, died aged 42, on May 15 last year at Featherstone Prison near Wolverhampton.

An action plan has been drawn up in the wake of his death, an inquest was told.

Concerns had been raised over a delay in calling for medical help, known as a 'code blue' for the inmate who collapsed after he complained of chest pains and a tingling sensation in his arm.

He was correctly treated by the then prison nurse Alexandra Connor and officers with CPR, a defibrillator and an ambulance was called.

But despite efforts to save him Mr Devoy was certified dead at New Cross Hospital, in Wolverhampton, a short time later.

The cause of death was given as hardening of an artery and a blood clot.

Mr Devoy's wife Bernadette, aged 41, of Stechford, Birmingham, told the hearing she had concerns about a report from the Prison and Probation Ombudsman (PPO) suggesting there was a 15-minute delay before he got help.

Before Mr Devoy's death national changes had been made to the way that prison staff handled emergencies and the hearing was told some staff were not aware of the new correct procedures.

Giving evidence PPO investigator Joanne Howells said: "My concerns were not about the quality of the emergency response, but the delay in calling the codes and the use of the codes at the time.

"Officers were not aware that new instructions went live in February 2013."

But giving evidence prisoner officer Henzie (correct)Miller said it took no more than three to five minutes between the inmate first telling her he was feeling unwell to the nurse arriving at the cell and the 'code blue' being raised.

There was no suggestion that staff were at fault over his treatment, the inquest was told.

South Staffordshire Coroner Mr Andrew Haigh said: "There is a degree of hindsight. It may well be that the ambulance should have been called earlier. It was unlikely to make a difference. When Nurse Connor got to Mr Devoy she did start compressions straight away and the defibrillator followed a short time afterwards and was used."

Following his death a review was carried out to see if processes could be improved.

And the inquest was told that PPO and health chiefs had made recommendations including regular health screening for inmates at risk and a 'code blue' double checking system.

Mr Haigh recorded a conclusion that death was due to natural causes. He said there was no need for further reports as the issues raised by Mr Devoy's death were being addressed.

Speaking afterwards Mrs Devoy said: "We have still got concerns about the delay in him receiving treatment. We didn't realise there were any concerns until we received the PPO report a few weeks ago. We are going to get some legal advice.

"You presume that all prison officers were automatically given first aid training. I'm surprised that it is only now being considered. "