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

Assistant EHC Caseworker

North Yorkshire Council
£31,537 - £34,434
North Yorkshire Council have a national reputation for excellence, and we are looking for a SEND Assistant EHC Caseworkers. Northallerton, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Assistant EHC Caseworker

North Yorkshire Council
£31,537 - £34,434
North Yorkshire Council have a national reputation for excellence, and we are looking for a SEND Assistant EHC Caseworkers. Scarborough, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Lead for Education & Adult Social Care Transport Services

Essex County Council
£59792 - £70343 per annum + Flexible Working, Hybrid Working
Interviews will be held across W/C 25th May 2026.The OpportunityThis is an exciting opportunity to lead a number of Essex County Council's (ECC) most England, Essex, Chelmsford
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Vehicle and Plant Mechanic x 3

Wakefield Council
Grade 7 - Grade 8, Career Grade, 37 hours, Permanent
An exciting opportunity exists in the Council’s Transport Services Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Visitor Experience Assistant with Catering (Casual)

Wakefield Council
£13.47 - £13.69 per hour, Grade 4, Casual
Are you passionate about making a difference to our citizens and the district that they reside in? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council
Linkedin Banner