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Schizophrenic died from overdose
A PARANOID schizophrenic died from an anti-psychotic drug overdose just days after his community carer thought he was “absolutely fine”.
Donald Allert, 38, known as Don, was found dead at his Highbury home at the corner of Petherton Road and Green Lanes having taken a large dose of the drug in an apparent bid to stop voices in his head.
He was under the care of the East London NHS Trust at the time of his death because his GP was based in Hackney.
At a St Pancras inquest this week – delayed for months over internal questions about his care that led to an overhaul in NHS structures – his brother Anthony quizzed a community worker over his level of training.
Chris Oberthur, a dual diagnosis worker at an unidentified centre, revealed he had been stripped of his duties following the tragedy.
He had a psychology degree and a masters qualification in dual diagnosis, but no medical training.
Mr Oberthur said: “Due to my non-clinical background there were questions if I should be care co-ordinator and the answer is no. I’ve been removed from that duty.”
Anthony Allert criticised the East London team for not contacting him when his brother failed to attend an appointment.
He was told by Mr Oberthur that they had “concentrated on finding the man” and had made a “slight assumption you would call us again”.
Mr Oberthur last saw Mr Allert on June 3, just hours after staff at another clinic said he appeared “troubled”. Mr Oberthur said: “I did not share those concerns. I spoke to him for a quarter of an hour and he seemed absolutely fine.”
When Mr Allert failed to turn up for an appointment with Mr Oberthur on June 17, staff knocked on his door every day but got no response.
He was found dead on June 23 by his GP, who had been contacted by Mr Allert’s family.
The inquest heard that Mr Allert had earlier taken an overdose by accident in an attempt to self-medicate, and it was suspected his death was the result of a similar action.
Coroner Dr Andrew Reid, who recorded an open verdict, said: “There is no evidence that the system as it applied in any way failed or contributed to the cause and circumstances of Mr Allert’s death.” |
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