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Dr Paul Knapman |
NEGLECTED PENSIONER LEFT TO DIE
Social services failed to help man found with maggots in legs
WESTMINSTER social services has come under fire for the second time in as many weeks after a coroner ruled its “neglect” led to a pensioner’s death.
Donald Naylor, 69, died after social services failed visit his home in Maida Vale despite warnings, an inquest heard.
Mr Naylor was found alone and seriously ill in a block of flats run by the St Mungo’s charity in Shirland Road.
Maggots had nested in ulcers on his legs.
He later died in St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington, from malnutrition.
Westminster coroner Dr Paul Knapman recorded “death aggravated by neglect” after it emerged social services knew about Mr Naylor’s plight 11 days before his death.
It comes after Westminster social services were criticised in an independent report a fortnight ago after they handed a four-year-old girl back into the care of parents who went on to abuse her.
Samuel Duncan, 27, and Kimberley Harte, 23, were later sentenced to serve more than 10 years in jail for the abuse.
In that case it was the child’s grandmother who alerted police. But in the case of Mr Naylor it took a meals-on-wheels driver to raise the alarm, sending a fax to his bosses after visiting Mr Naylor.
It read: “He (Mr Naylor) has sores on his legs which gave off a bad smell. His personal hygiene is not very good and he complains of stomach pain. I understand no nurse visits him. Could you please follow this up?”
Dr Knapman said: “The bottom line is that in the 11 days from the first fax being sent to when Mr Naylor went into hospital, no one in your (social services) department had been to see him.”
“We heard from the doctor at the hospital and he gave us a graphic account of his condition and treatment.
“He had terrible ulcers on his legs which ultimately led to his death. When he came in, his legs and shins were infected with maggots. This came as a surprise to the hospital.”
Westminster’s service manager for older and disabled people, William Davis, said: “We want to make sure any improvements that can be made to ensure this doesn’t happen again, are made.”
Mr Naylor died of septicaemia, cellulitis, chronic leg ulcers, malnutrition and renal failure. |
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