'Gross failure' in man's care led to death from constipation - Guardian Article

An inquest into the early and preventable death of Richard Handley, a young man who had Down’s syndrome and suffered lifelong constipation, has found “gross [and] very significant failures” at almost every stage of his care.

The coroner, Peter Dean, criticised Mr Handley’s care provider, GP practice, psychiatrist, social workers and staff at Ipswich hospital when he recorded a narrative verdict at Ipswich coroners court. The multiple omissions of care, he said, created an “extreme and tragic situation” that led to Mr Handley’s death from constipation, a “condition that one is not expected to die of”.

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