Mr. Joseph John MOCHAN (otherwise Joseph John LOPEZ) · Prevention of Future Deaths report

On 2nd December 2019 I commenced an investigation into the death of Mr. Joseph John MOCHAN (otherwise Joseph John LOPEZ). The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 11th March 2020. The conclusion of the inquest was MISADVENTURE – DRUG RELATED DEATH

See Record of Inquest

Joseph MOCHAN came to Brighton briefly during Pride week 2019. He may well have returned to Cardiff and he seems next to be living in a tent in West Street at some stage in September.
Apparently the tent had been erected in West Street for about six months but during that period of time has had several different occupants.
A better idea of when Joseph arrived in Brighton may be obtained by the fact that he registered with the Arch Healthcare GP Practice (a Practice for homeless people) on the 29th September 2019 and between then and his death on the 11th of October he had six contacts with the GP for various different reasons.
It is believed that Joseph came to Brighton first of all looking for his sister.
She had indeed lived in Brighton but at some stage in the summer of 2019 or maybe earlier, she moved away.
They never established contact with each other. If they had they may have supported each other and Joseph may not have died.

I had various reports about Joseph but the main witness was ████████ from the Arch Healthcare GP Practice.

He told me that he has about 1400 patients on his list.
The number is roughly the same year by year but the patients change.

There is a long-standing problem of homelessness in Brighton. About half the people who are homeless come from Brighton and the other half arrive here in the belief that they will be helped.

There is it seems a political will to help homeless people in Brighton.
On any given night there may be 50 to 200 people sleeping rough on the streets of the city.
Many of them will be using drugs with the violence and criminality associated with this world.
Many will have (associated) mental health problems and likely physical ailments as well.
They have no toilet or washing facilities, no basic hygiene equipment; no change of clothing; no proper bedding; no access to healthy food and drink.

The City has a large number of organisations some charitable, who are dedicated to trying to help and to give the care and support which is needed.

████████ explained to me that there are things which could help.
Such helps centres around a safe place to be and availability of the services which are needed, provided at or adjacent to the safe place.
He told me that it is quite possible for a homeless person to walk 5 to 10 miles a day around the city trying to access the different places where help might be available.
By the time they have arrived at one place they have probably missed another appointment on the other side of the City.

████████ said that he felt there were two main things which if they could be put in place would dramatically improve the plight of the people who are the subject of this report.
Additionally, and in many ways as importantly for all those involved, the services would reduce the amount of spending. Such services, if they existed would provide joined up care, accommodation and support.

This approach is likely to save money for everyone involved and especially Brighton & Hove City Council, The Clinical Commissioning Group and Sussex Police.

At Joseph’s Inquest I was told that these are the two matters which should be considered:-

1. A safe night shelter, open to ALL, every night of the year. It should be able to accommodate 50 - 200 each night. It should NOT only be available on a first come first served basis. It should provide proper associated hygiene facilities. Also food and warmth. Communal areas.

2. A Homeless Healthcare Hub which contains all the necessary services under one roof. This would not be unlike (though it would be more sophisticated than) the University of Sussex Healthcare Hub.

Neither of these services could be provided overnight but please could discussions with ALL the stakeholders begin?

In 2019 I understand that 36 members of the street community in the City died.
This should not be happening in the City.