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

Technical and Support Officers

Durham County Council
£30,024 to £33,699 p.a. (Grade 7) Pay Award pending
Do you have a passion for improving services, solving problems and making the most of technology?  If so, we want to hear from you! We're seeking two Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Technician

Durham County Council
Grade 6 £28,142 - £31,022 (Pay award pending)
WHAT IS INVOLVED?    Are you passionate about live events, theatre, and bringing unforgettable experiences to life? We're looking for a Technician to Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Welfare Rights Officers

Durham County Council
£35,412 to £39,152 p.a. (Grade 9) Pay Award pending
An exciting opportunity has arisen within Durham County Council for two Welfare Rights Officers, on a two-year fixed term basis. WHAT IS INVOLVED? Th Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Waste Recycling Non HGV Driver Chargehand

Durham County Council
Grade 6 £28,142 - £31,022 per annum (Pay award pending)
Are you an experienced driver with strong leadership skills? We’re looking for a Non-HGV Driver Chargehand to join our Waste and Recycling team. In t Peterlee
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Senior Instructor - Essex Outdoors

Essex County Council
£26840.0000 - £31576.0000 per annum
Senior Instructor - Essex Outdoors Mersea and Essex Outdoors HarlowPermanent, Full Time£26,840 to £31,576 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council
Linkedin Banner