Council: we could not help Terence

ARTHUR Colclough's death comes just 11 months after his next-door neighbour, Terence Whatmore, died after being found collapsed in his bungalow.

An inquest in October heard that Mr Whatmore had been found lying on the living room floor of his council home by neighbour David Penkethman on January 27.

The frail 78-year-old, who had no known family, was taken by ambulance to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire, where he died the next day.

The inquest heard that Mr Whatmore had been suffering from hypothermia when he was found, and police could find no food or drink in the property.

Coroner Ian Smith recorded a verdict of death by natural causes after hearing from senior Stoke-on-Trent City Council officers that Mr Whatmore had spurned offers of help.

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 who tried to encourage him to move into supported accommodation.

He said: "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."

The city council's adult protection co-ordinator Angela Lightfoot, said the only legislation available to care workers in terms of intervention were powers under the Mental Health Act and the Mental Capacity Act, which were not applicable to Mr Whatmore's case.

She said: "We were powerless to do anything about it."