A coroner has raised concerns a hospital did not take enough action to help a man in its care after he had heart failure linked to e-cigarette use.

Kevin Ince, 55, was detained under the Mental Health Act at Kemple View Hospital in Langho last year.

Following his death, an inquest held earlier this month determined that he died of natural causes at Royal Blackburn Hospital on October 25, 2023.

He died of heart failure, which the coroner concluded was caused by pneumonitis linked to lung injuries caused by use of e-cigarettes, or vapes.

Area coroner Christopher Long published a Prevention of Future Deaths Report three days after the conclusion of the inquest.

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He said: “On October 24, 2023, he [Mr Ince] pressed his call bell as he was unwell. It was noted that he was short of breath and panting.

“Oxygen was administered due to low oxygen saturation levels, whilst waiting for an ambulance.

"Mr Ince was taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital where his requirement for support with oxygen continued.

“Whilst in hospital he underwent a series of diagnostic tests while treatment continued over the following days. Unfortunately, his condition deteriorated and he did not recover.

“He died on October 25, 2023. He died as a result of right ventricular failure caused by acute interstitial pneumonitis as a result of vaping-associated lung injury.”

Mr Long said the inquest heard clear evidence of regular refusals of “necessary and appropriate treatment” by Mr Ince over several years.

However, he said there was “insufficient consideration of steps that were then appropriate including a lack of steps to persuade the patient, insufficient consideration of the powers under the Mental Capacity Act 2005, and insufficient consideration of utilising s.63 of the Mental Health Act 1983.”

Mr Long added: “Insufficient action was taken when the patient detained under the Mental Health Act 1983 routinely declined food over a prolonged period.”

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The coroner issued the report to The Priory Group, which runs the 90-bed Kemple View mental health unit, saying action should be taken to prevent future deaths.

The Priory Group has until January 14, 2025, to respond to Mr Long’s report, which must contain details of action taken or proposed to be taken, or an explanation of why no action is proposed.

Copies of the report have also been sent to Mr Ince’s family, Sabden and Whalley Medical Group, and the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

At its last inspection in 2019, Kemple View was rated outstanding by CQC stating it “provided safe care” and was “proactive in encouraging patients to manage their own risks.”