What led to Surendra Patel's death?

Surendra Patel, an 78-year-old man, died after refusing food and drink in custody, which led to severe malnutrition and an acute kidney injury.

What were the key failures identified by the coroner?

The coroner identified a lack of awareness of food refusal policies by healthcare and prison staff, a failure to conduct timely mental capacity assessments, and a lack of consideration for hospital transfer or senior medical evaluations.

What action is required following the coroner's report?

The coroner has called for action to prevent future deaths, with recipients of the report required to respond to his recommendations by May 5, 2026.

Home / Crime and Justice / Coroner Blasts Prison Staff Over Food Refusal Death

Coroner Blasts Prison Staff Over Food Refusal Death

12 Mar

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Summary

An elderly prisoner died after refusing food and drink.
Coroner cited lack of awareness of food refusal policy.
Action required to prevent future avoidable deaths.

Coroner Blasts Prison Staff Over Food Refusal Death

An 78-year-old man, Surendra Patel, died at the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch on October 31, 2024, after starving himself following his arrest. An inquest concluded on March 10, 2026, revealed that Patel had stopped eating between October 21 and 26, losing a fifth of his body weight. The assistant coroner for Worcestershire, James Puzey, issued a prevention of future deaths report detailing systemic failures.

Healthcare and prison staff were found to be unaware of a crucial food refusal policy. The coroner's report emphasized that a mental capacity assessment should have been conducted immediately upon food refusal, and hospital transfers for severely weakened prisoners should have been considered. Additionally, senior healthcare professional assessments and advocacy for family contact were overlooked.

Prison staff also failed to inform next of kin about Patel's decision to refuse food or fluids without first confirming if such information could be shared. The report, sent to various health trusts and government departments, concludes that action must be taken to prevent future deaths. The recipients have until May 5, 2026, to respond to the coroner's urgent recommendations.

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