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

Residential Worker

Essex County Council
£26284.00 - £33256.00 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
Residential WorkerPermanent, Full Time£28,914 to £36,581 per annum (includes allowance)Location
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Fostering Panel and Data Performance Advisor

Essex County Council
£55892.0000 - £69241.0000 per annum
Fostering Panel and Data Performance AdvisorPermanent, Part Time£55,892 to £69,241 to per annum (full time equivalent) Location
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Freedom of Information (FOI) Officer - Braintree

Essex County Council
£32319.00 - £36900.00 per annum
Freedom of Information (FOI) Officer - Braintree District CouncilBraintree District CouncilPermanent, Full Time£32,319 up to £36,900 per annumLocation England, Essex, Braintree
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Corporate Director - Planning

Dorset Council
£97,966 - £126,181
Do you share our ambition for Dorset? Dorset
Recuriter: Dorset Council

SETDAB Senior Communications Officer

Essex County Council
£37435.0000 - £44041.0000 per annum
SETDAB Senior Communications OfficerFixed Term, Part Time 28 Hours Per Week£37,435 to £44,041 Per Annum Full Time EquivalentLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council
Linkedin Banner