Police have been notified of an unexplained death in a UK care home, and are reportedly investigating the incident.

The BBC reported that police are investigating after being made aware of a coroner’s report which showed an unexplained death related to medications.

The ‘Prevention of Future Deaths’ report from the Courts and Tribunals Judiciary revealed that a coroner’s investigation into the death of 46-year-old Shahida Khan left some questions as to how she died.

Khan, who was resident at Voyage Care’s Cloverdale care home in Alton, died on 17 December 2022 while at the facility.

Written by Jason Pegg, area coroner for Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton, the report went on to say Khan was given “substantial quantities” of two redacted, prescribed medications, plus one other medication, also in a “substantial quantity”, the combination of which “caused toxicity in consequence of which the deceased suffered respiratory depression”.

It went on: “The deceased had a history of epilepsy. The substantial quantity of [REDACTED] caused the deceased to suffer three seizures immediately prior to her death which contributed to the death.

“How the deceased came to be given substantial quantities of [REDACTED] and [REDACTED] cannot be ascertained.”

Pegg added that the home’s protocol was to lock the medicine cabinet at all times when not administering medications, and said: “In the absence of an explanation, there is a risk of a further recurrence where those in the care of the staff are administered toxic and fatal quantities of medications.”

He continued: “In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe you (and/or your organisation) have the power to take such action.”

The report, dated 24 April 2024, was presumably sent to police, triggering their investigation.

A police spokesperson told the BBC: “We are currently working to establish the circumstances and assess whether an investigation into the death is required.”

Speaking on behalf of Voyage Care, regional manager Jackie Beddow said: “We informed the police and other relevant authorities of our concerns as soon as we were able.

“Voyage Care take such matters very seriously. We are cooperating fully with the police to assist them with their inquiries.”

The investigation is ongoing.