Care Probe Plea After City Death

A vulnerable Inverness man who was supposed to receive daily support lay dead for up to a week before his body was discovered, it has been claimed. David Ireland (32) lived in “supported” accommodation and was meant to receive daily visits from carers.

Two health workers told the Highland News this week that they believed Mr Ireland, who suffered from mental health problems, may have been dead for many days before he was found in his flat. His sister, Selina, is now seeking answers as to why the company that was supposed to be providing support for him had not used its passkey to get into his flat to check on his welfare.

The health workers, one of whom has volunteered to speak to police, contacted the Highland News about the case after it emerged last week that the care company, Meallmore Lodge Ltd, is facing a fresh investigation into the death of another city man, Donald Campbell, whose body was found in the Caledonian Canal in 2002. It is the same company which was contracted to provide a care package for Mr Ireland.

Selina Ireland, who last saw her brother last year on Tuesday, July 4, called at his flat in Murray Terrace, Smithton, on the following Friday and Sunday, but received no response. But when she again failed to get a response on Tuesday 11th, she alerted staff at Kinmylies Lodge, a home run by Meallmore Lodge Ltd which provides a range of services for NHS Highland and Highland Council. Several hours later she contacted the police and they entered the flat to find Mr Ireland’s body.

The health workers and Mr Ireland’s family said this week that the young father had expressed concerns about the support he was receiving. The health workers have asked not to be named, but one said she would happy to give a statement to the police, and the Highland News has forwarded her name to Northern Constabulary.

The police have confirmed that Mr Ireland was found dead at the flat in Murray Terrace on July 11 and that he was last seen by his sister. They said his death was “not suspicious”.

Inquiries by the Highland News established that Mr Ireland’s family, who kept in regular contact with him, had called him on his mobile phone as well as knocking on his door but got no response in the days before his body was discovered.

“We just feel that this was a vulnerable young man and that had been recognised by the authorities who put a package of care in place for him,” said one of the health workers. We believe his body had been lying there for up to a week, and it seems clear that he was not receiving regular visits from his carers.”

Mr Ireland’s older sister Selina told the Highland News: “He had a number of issues he was dealing with. He needed emotional support and help to prepare meals and that’s why the package was put in place. However, I believe a lot of that care wasn’t being carried out. They certainly had not been in to check on him that week and I would welcome any investigation as to why there was no support there in the time leading up to his death.”

A spokesman for Meallmore Lodge said: “The Care Commission and Highland Council’s social work department are fully aware of the circumstances surrounding the untimely death of David Ireland. They are satisfied that the staff of Meallmore Lodge acted appropriately and fulfilled their contractual obligations to David until his sudden death from natural causes last year.

“David was often away from home for extended periods of time without notifying staff in advance. He routinely declined staff permission to enter his home and made it clear they should not enter without his permission.”

Last week it emerged that Inverness man George Campbell with the help of Inverness MSP Fergus Ewing has succeeded in persuading the Solicitor General for Scotland to review the circumstances surrounding the death of Mr Campbell’s brother Donald. The 46-year-old, who had learning difficulties, was found in the Caledonian Canal on November 20, 2002. He was a resident at Kinmylies Lodge.

Mr Campbell and his family refuse to accept their brother was suicidal and they were unhappy with the findings of a fatal accident inquiry which Mr Campbell said did not answer what happened to Lorazepam tablets prescribed to his brother.

A post mortem provided evidence of large quantities of Lorazepam in Mr Campbell’s system. Staff at the care home insisted they had returned the medication to a pharmacy after Mr Campbell’s death. But no documentary evidence was presented to the inquiry by the home or the pharmacy confirming that had happened.

This week, Inverness area social work chairwoman, Councillor Margaret Davidson, urged anyone with information about concerns of care plans for vulnerable people not being properly implemented to inform the council’s social work department.

“I will certainly investigate this case and ask officers to report back on their findings,” she said. “As a council we have lots of contracts to support people at home, but if people have proof that a care plan is not being properly implemented I would encourage them to come forward.”