“During the inquest I heard evidence that at the of Mr Smart's attendance to the Emergency…”

The coroner’s concerns

During the inquest I heard evidence that at the of Mr Smart's attendance to the Emergency Department of the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton that there were around 20 patients in the corridor as the Department had reached capacity and there was no clinical area available to do so. I understand from previous inquests that the area is not designated as a clinical area. I have heard in other inquests relating to deaths prior to June 2025 that is being taken by University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust currently to (1) reduce the number of patients who present to the Emergency Department who could be seen by other services in the community and (2) to create an improved patient flow through the Royal Sussex County Hospital. The evidence in this inquest was that, despite these actions, the corridor continues to be used when the Emergency Department reaches capacity. I was also advised that the use of corridors to care for patients is not only an issue at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton but is used throughout the country. Prevention of Future Death reports in relation to the use of the corridor for patient care was made during investigations into deaths which occurred in December 2022 and February 2025 and the use of the corridor remains ongoing. 11. COPIES AND PUBLICATION OF THIS REPORT I have a duty to send a copy of my report to every Interested Person who in my opinion should receive it. I also may send a copy of the report to any other person who I believe may find it useful or of interest. I can confirm I have sent the report to: The family of Mr Smart I also have a duty to send a copy of the report to the Chief Coroner. You may make representations to me, the coroner, about the publication of the contents of this report in line with Chief Coroner’s PFD Publication Policy (2026). Any representations will be sent to the Chief Coroner alongside the report. Please refer to box 4 above for additional information relating to the publication of reports and responses. 12. SIGNATURE Joanne ANDREWS Area Coroner for West Sussex, Brighton and Hove

An extract. Read the full report, including the circumstances of the death, on the Courts and Tribunals Judiciary website.

Source

judiciary.uk, Prevention of Future Deaths reports, 2026-0262

Added to Minute Book

8 Oct 2026

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Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: Courts and Tribunals Judiciary, judiciary.uk. Open Government Licence v3.0