Mrs Helena Opoku · Prevention of Future Deaths report

On 5th April 2021 I commenced an investigation into the death of Mrs Helena Opoku, aged 67 years. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 8th October 2021. The conclusion of the inquest was that Mrs Opoku died from:

1.a Inhalation of Products of Combustion

A Narrative conclusion was arrived at

Mrs Helena Opoku was pronounced deceased on 4th April 2021 at her home address, she died as the result of carbon monoxide toxicity.
Mrs Opoku had used charcoal braziers in her home to cook and provide heat. Both gas and electricity had been disconnected in her home.

On 7th January 2021 a safeguarding alert, regarding the risk to Mrs Opoku of self-neglect, was raised whilst she was an inpatient receiving treatment for injuries sustained in a road traffic collision.

Following discharge from hospital on 14th January 2021 social services neither assessed Mrs Opoku, nor her home.

Social services did not allocate Mrs Opoku a social worker until 1st April 2021, at the time of her death that social worker had not made contact with Mrs Opoku.

1. During January- March 2021 the London Borough of Redbridge social services adult social care team in Cranbrook and Loxford were unable to; properly investigate all but the most acute safeguarding referrals made to them;
2. During the same period the team was unable to appoint social workers to vulnerable persons within a reasonable timeframe or carry out assessments of the suitability of the homes of vulnerable residents.