Elderly Man's Tragic Death After Council Fails to Help

A 69-year-old man, "John," from Oldham, died in distressing circumstances after being discharged from Royal Oldham Hospital. He had been treated for severe malnutrition and acute kidney injury. Following his discharge on October 18, 2024, the council failed to respond to welfare check attempts. John had previously expressed safety concerns about his multi-occupancy housing due to other residents' issues.

Council staff were unaware of his lack of heating and hot water, or his inability to cook. After falling shortly after his hospital release, John was unable to call for help. He remained on the floor for several days, developing pressure ulcers and becoming covered in waste. His daughter found him on November 5, 2024, in a critical condition.

John was readmitted to hospital but died on November 7, 2024. A review by the Oldham Safeguarding Adults Board found significant missed opportunities in assessing his needs and addressing safeguarding concerns. The board expressed deep apologies and is implementing actions to improve inter-service communication, especially regarding hospital discharges, to prevent future tragedies.