Death by indifference cases
The deaths of the following six people were originally described in Mencap's 'Death by indifference' report.
Martin
Martin, aged 43, went into hospital following a stroke. The hospital did not provide him with adequate care and he went without food for 26 days. By the time staff took notice, it was too late to help. Martin died on 21 December 2005.
Emma
Emma died on 25 July 2004. She had been diagnosed with cancer and her mother was told she had a 50% chance of survival with active treatment. However, doctors decided that Emma would not cooperate with treatment because of her learning disability. She was not treated and died aged 26.
Mark
Mark died on 29 August 2003. He was 30 years old. He was admitted to hospital with a broken leg then discharged, but later readmitted twice in two months.He died of bronchopneumonia after a catalogue of serious failings which left him screaming in severe pain.
Ted
Ted went into hospital for minor surgery. He was discharged before he was fit to go home because staff did not want to meet his extra needs. He returned to his residential care home where staff were concerned that he wasn't well enough to be at home. He collapsed and died the following day aged 61.
Warren
Warren died on 25 September 2004 aged 30 years old. When he fell ill, Warren's mother and father repeatedly asked doctors whether he had appendicitis or a blocked bowel. They were told he had a virus. Warren died of a perforated appendix.
Tom
Tom died on 25 May 2004. His parents had repeatedly told social care and health professionals that the change in his behaviour was because he was in pain. However, no assessment of his physical health needs was made until it was too late to save him. Tom died of oesophagitis and aspiration pneumonia aged 20.
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