Tragic Deaths Review Will Improve Safeguarding

A serious case management review has concluded that the island needs to develop an implementation plan for people who are neglecting their own health.

The review follows the sad death of seven islanders who, for one reason or another, were unable to properly care for themselves.

As well as establishing an implementation plan, Manx Care’s mental health services is advised to develop a policy to guide practice where service users don’t attend appointments. 

The Independent Chair of the Safeguarding Board, Lesley Walker, said: ‘It’s important that we continue to commission these reviews looking at difficult and complicated issues, so that we can develop and improve practice to better safeguard the vulnerable in our society.

‘It is my job to provide scrutiny and challenge of agencies in the Isle of Man and hold them to account for delivery of any necessary improvements to practice. Work has already commenced as outlined in the Board response to this review, to address the learning and the Safeguarding Board agencies have commissioned a specific piece of work to engage all sectors in improving the response to self-neglect. 

‘The Board agencies are committed to improving how self-neglect is recognised and dealt with, and that professionals feel confident about the best way they can intervene and support vulnerable adults in these circumstances.’

Self-neglect refers to a range of behaviours including a person not addressing their personal hygiene, dietary or health needs. It may also be seen in a lack of care for their environment – living in unhygienic or unsafe home conditions, with clutter arising from hoarding resulting in serious health and safety risks, including fire risks.

Reviews

The case reviews undertaken look at the tragic deaths of seven islanders, with the information anonymised to protect their identities.

Given the names of Robin, Andrea, Emma, Thomas, James, Margaret and Harriet. It was the death of ‘Robin’, a man who was in his 80s and living in self-neglect, that led to his and the other six people being examined.

Throughout, they were people who either shut themselves away from society, were isolated in some way or another, lived in squalid conditions, some despite having the means for a better life or otherwise were incapable of looking after themselves.

Support

If any individual recognises that they may require support, or if a family member or the
public have any concerns about someone who may be self-neglecting; advice and support is
available by contacting:
– The Adult Safeguarding Team at ASTeam@gov.im or by telephone (01624) 685969
during office hours;
– By calling (01624) 650000 and asking for the on call duty social worker out of office
house;
– By calling the Police if you have an immediate welfare concern