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Woman’s home conditions did not cause death, inquest finds
THE widow of a Sierra Leone foreign minister died a year after she was left to the care of her sons by social services, an inquest heard.
Retired care worker Sarah Leigh, 83, died at her home in Brecknock Road, Holloway, in August from a blood clot to her lung.
Despite warning phone calls that she may need help and the knowledge that her sons – who were caring for her – were reluctant to seek medical help, Camden social services stopped visiting her a year before her death.
Giving evidence at St Pancras Coroner’s Court on Wednesday, Vivienne Broadhurst, a senior member of Camden’s social services, said her department had received a call from Mrs Leigh’s daughter in Sierra Leone, worried about her safety. Her daughter said she had not heard from her mother for a year.
Mrs Leigh’s sons later claimed the daughter was a step-relative, she added.
Following a final visit from Camden social services in 2006, Mrs Leigh’s sons were left in control.
Ms Broadhurst said: “They thought they were coping. Mrs Leigh seemed to be happy and did not want to be referred back to the medical profession. We later agreed a further referral [to monitor her continence].”
In response to a query from coroner Andrew Reid about whether Mrs Leigh was considered “at risk”, Ms Broadhurst replied: “No. Police and the GP and the worker found she was at no risk in any way.”
A year after their last visit she died.
Although referrals were made by Camden for district nurses to visit, it was unclear whether this happened. Mrs Leigh had not seen a doctor in three years.
She was found dead by ambulance staff at 3.20am lying on a sofa in just a T-shirt and covered by a blanket.
Police, following 15 minutes later, said the flat was a mess and smelt of urine.
PC Benjamin England said: “The flat was in disarray. It was untidy and there was a strong smell of urine. The floor was sticky to stand on. The sofa was in the kitchen-cum-dining room area. [Mrs Leigh] was in a lifeless state, covered by a blanket wearing nothing but a T-shirt.”
Police also revealed Mrs Leigh’s sons, Antonio and Martin, who failed to turn up at her inquest despite being called as witnesses, had taken 15 minutes to decide who should call 999. There was no phone in the house and both of them had medical problems of their own so were reluctant to walk to a phone box.
A post mortem examination found that she died from blood clotting in the veins that travelled to her lung, as a result of a pus-filled abscess on her gall bladder.
Dr Reid ruled Mrs Leigh died from natural causes.
He said: “On the evidence I am satisfied she died from natural causes and I’m satisfied there was no evidence she has been the victim of abuse or neglect. Sadly, services were offered and her family decided to care for her as best they could. Although there were issues to tidiness and hygiene of the flat. She was well nourished but slightly unkempt.
“Although there were issues about the way she lived they did not contribute to her death.” |
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