Changes made at London hospital after elderly man dies with frostbite in squalid flat A hospital was told to review its discharge policy after an elderly man who had been a patient died with frostbite in his squalid east London flat.
The vulnerable 77-year-old was sent home from the Royal London Hospital without “critical oversights regarding his flat's readiness, particularly the lack of gas heating during winter” being done, a recently published review into the case found.
In a briefing, the Board said: “JL's discharge from the hospital was poorly managed by partners, with critical oversights regarding his home's readiness, particularly the lack of gas heating during winter.
The man “also struggled with personal hygiene and was at risk of dehydration and malnutrition due to neglecting his basic needs and failure to address issues such as these further increased his vulnerability”, the investigation, which was launched in April 2023, found.
His flat was described as “insanitary, with the kitchen and bathroom in poor condition”, the City and Hackney Safeguarding Adults Board said in its report.
