Mark Whitehead 15 May 2023

Opportunities missed to help man who died of starvation

Opportunities missed to help man who died of starvation image
Image: DrimaFilm / Shutterstock.com.

A man with severe mental health problems died alone in his flat weighing four and a half stone after opportunities to help him were missed, according to a review of the case.

A report by the Nottingham City Safeguarding Adults Board said Errol Graham, 57, was found dead by bailiffs who were sent to evict him because he had not paid his rent for seven months.

Housing benefit had been stopped after he failed to respond to repeated requests for information to review his entitlement, the report said.

His gas had been capped off and his flat, rented from Nottingham City Homes, had no heating or hot water.

At the time of his death Mr Graham had no income for food and utilities, the report said.

It found that while Nottingham City Homes, the Department for Work and Pensions and his GP all had information on Mr Graham, none had the full picture of how he was living.

He was suffering severe mental health problems and the review said he could have received support if agencies had communicated better.

A spokesperson for Nottingham City Housing Services, formerly Nottingham City Homes, said: ‘As a direct result of Errol's tragic death and the circumstances leading up to it, we have reviewed our data sharing protocols with the DWP and introduced new joint processes to identify any appropriate support that may be required.

‘We have also amended our procedures where a single vulnerable adult is at risk of eviction, and now make a referral to our multi-agency eviction prevention panel to collate recent recorded contacts from all agencies involved.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Digital Trainee Apprentice - IT Solutions Technician Level 3

Essex County Council
£15435.0000 - £24522.0000 per annum
Digital Trainee Apprentice - IT Solutions Technician Level 3Fixed Term, Full Time£15,435 increasing to £24,522 in the second yearLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Head of Revenue & Benefits

Stroud District Council
up to £66,952
Located in the heart of beautiful Gloucestershire, Stroud District Council is seeking a passionate, values-driven leader... Ebley Mill, Stroud / Hybrid
Recuriter: Stroud District Council

Strategic Director of Housing & Communities

Stroud District Council
up to £99,764 (includes a market supplement, based on experience)
Located in the heart of beautiful Gloucestershire, Stroud District Council is seeking a passionate, values-driven leader... Ebley Mill, Stroud / Hybrid
Recuriter: Stroud District Council

IT Support Officer - Rochford District Council

Essex County Council
Up to £15.9900 per hour
IT Support Officer - Rochford District Council Rochford, Essex Full-Time, Temporary - 37 hours per week 3-Month Contract £15.99 PAYE / £20.51 Umbrella England, Essex, Rochford
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Senior Environmental Health Officer

North Yorkshire Council
£47,181 - £51,356 per annum
Are you passionate about protecting the environment and promoting public health? Scarborough, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council
Linkedin Banner