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

Integrated Resource Teaching Assistant x6

Wakefield Council
£18,393.09 - £19,604.53, Grade 5, 30 hours, Permanent, Term time only
We are looking to recruit additional staff to our already established team of support staff. Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Voice and Participation Practitioner x2

Wakefield Council
£32,061.00 - £34,434.00, Grade 7, 37 hours, Permanent
An exciting opportunity has become available to make a difference by empowering young voices. Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

High Needs Funding Officer - Post 16

Essex County Council
£26485.00 - £31158.00 per annum + pension
High Needs Funding Officer - Post 16Fixed Term, Full Time£26,485 to £31,158 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Enhanced Senior Social Worker

Wakefield Council
Grade 10 - Grade 11, 37 hours, Permanent
We are seeking Social Workers to join our superb Locality Services. Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Streetworks Inspectors

Oxfordshire County Council
34434 - 37280
About Us Working within the Network Management Team, whose function it is to ensure that all Street working activity is appropriately managed within the boundaries of legislation and the County Council’s Permit Scheme and Lane Rental Scheme About the R Kidlington
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council
Linkedin Banner