Colin Keith Williams · Prevention of Future Deaths report

Colin Keith Williams

Colin Williams was found dead at his home address, 18 Tregonissey Close, St Austell on 9th April 2013. He was found lying on the kitchen floor with three jackets on, over his top and trousers in a state of decomposition. The house was well heated but in a neglected state (plates with mouldy food around house, all surfaces covered with hoarded items/medication) with evidence of Mr Williams excessively abusing alcohol. He was last known to be alive on 17th March 2013. It was not possible to establish the cause of death or whether neglect played a part in the death on the evidence at inquest. Mr Williams was well known to numerous agencies e.g. Social Service, GP, police, RCHT, social houses and was known to be a vulnerable adult and to self-neglect ████████

Mr Colin Williams was known to numerous agencies and personnel. At inquest evidence was given from Ocean Housing, Adult care, Health and Wellbeing, Taylors of Grampound, the Police, Royal Cornwall Hospital (together with minutes of Complex planning meetings arranged by Cornwall Council on 11.11.12, 13.03.12) the extent of his complex needs and tendency to self-neglect, particularly when under the influence of alcohol. Despite being known to have complex needs his body was not found for some weeks. Those at inquest gave evidence that due to the large number of potential agencies involved in his care, his age (below 65), and the fact he had variable mental capacity due to his chronic alcoholism (no mental health diagnosis) it made it difficult for Mr Williams to know which agency provided what service and whether they were free or not. This led to agency “blindness” preventing him from accessing help/funding particularly at a time of crisis (especially when he lacked capacity due to alcoholism).

An example was given by Ocean Housing who had been involved with Mr Williams since 2011. Initially he was provided support through his tenancy which was funded by Cornwall Council supporting people budget. In 2011 the way funding was provided was changed and Mr Williams no longer qualified. An independent living service was set up in lieu which clients had to contribute towards. From this time forward Mr Williams did not engage as he had difficulty in understanding the structure. His funding was made more complicated by hospital admissions/care home placements which meant on occasions he was left without funds due to the necessary paperwork being completed – which he was unable to complete or understand on his own.

Those at inquest considered that this was not an uncommon scenario; particular when a client had both health and social issues and this was made even more difficult if they were drug and/or alcohol dependant.