Pensioner dies after spurning help offer

SOCIAL services staff said they were powerless to help a 78-year-old single man who died of hypothermia, an inquest heard.

Terence Whatmore, who had no known family, was found collapsed at his home on Tomlinson Street, Longport, on January 27 this year.

It is not known how long he had been lying there.

His neighbour David Penkethman spotted him on the floor of his living room and heard him call for help.

The pensioner was taken to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire where he died the following day.

An inquest was held at North Staffordshire Coroner's Court, Hartshill, yesterday, where a verdict of natural causes was recorded.

The inquest heard Mr Whatmore's body temperature was 29.9°C when he was admitted to hospital.

PC Rebecca Bayley, who helped to force entry into his house at the request of paramedics, told the inquest there was no food or drink in the property.

Coroner Ian Smith asked representatives from Stoke-on-Trent City Council's old people's services to give evidence yesterday.

Matthew Lovatt, manager of older people's mental health services, said that up to his death, Mr Whatmore had received weekly visits from care assistants – whose concern was to encourage him to move into supported accommodation.

He said: "We tend to care for people who require assistance with washing and dressing, and people with memory issues. However, our involvement with Mr Whatmore was slightly different in that we wondered whether he wished to pursue sheltered accommodation.

"At one time he was pursuing this line and then changed his mind.

"I believe he did spend some time at Stallington Hospital. I think it was his long history with institutional care which made him reluctant to move to sheltered housing.

"He had a very clear mind about what he wanted for himself."

Mr Smith asked: "How do we, as a society, make sure the Terence Whatmores of this world do not die as a result of an inability or failure to make contact with people?"

Mr Lovatt said: "That's a challenge because of the framework we work within."

Angela Lightfoot, adult protection co-ordinator for the council, explained to the inquest that the only legislation available to care workers in terms of intervention was not applicable to Mr Whatmore's case.

These were powers under the Mental Health Act, and the Mental Capacity Act.

She said: "Mr Whatmore did not fall into these categories.

"The only thing we could say was that some of his decisions were unwise.

"We were powerless to do anything about it. If someone wants to live alone like that they can.

"We can only try to minimise the risk and offer as much support as that individual wants to receive."

Pathologist Dr Asok Biswas told the inquest Mr Whatmore died of hypothermia and peripheral vascular disease due to atherosclerosis.

Mr Smith said: "This is natural disease which had taken its full course.

"It's obvious Mr Whatmore had been unwell, and because of his own chosen circumstances he was unable to summon assistance.

"He continued to deteriorate, and because he was lying on the floor he developed hypothermia."