A disabled man choked to death on his own incontinence pad in the communal dining area of a scandal-hit care home.
Matthew Dale, 43, was found dead at Vancouver House on Vancouver Road, Netherley, at around 11.50pm on December 27 2020. The severely disabled man, who hailed from Warrington, had been living at the home for nine years, and received one-to-one care between 8am and 8pm each day.
At his inquest today, January 18, his dad Stuart Dale said: “Matthew required constant supervision. One of the main issues was Matthew tried to put anything in his mouth. That included newspaper, pieces of glass and incontinence pads. You could tell when Matthew had been to a party because you could see glitter in his poo."
READ MORE: 'Urgent improvement' needed after hotel handed zero food hygiene rating
The court heard Mr Dale had severe learning difficulties and autism, was blind in one eye and partially sighted in the other. He was non-verbal, and required round-the-clock care.
As a child, his airway was found to be "significantly smaller than most children his age" putting him at higher risk of choking, and this information was passed onto the authorities by his parents.
Mr Dale moved into sheltered accommodation provided by Warrington Borough Council when he was 21, and lived at a care home on Milton Grove before moving to Vancouver House in February 2011.
Warrington Council's head of care management, Carla Strudwick, said: "Matthew would sometimes bang his head and he would also continually bite his knuckles, that left some scarring on his hands. He was no longer appearing settled in his accommodation. The provider at the time felt they couldn't continue to meet Matthew's needs within the current setting."
On four occasions throughout May and August 2010, Milton Grove staff had recorded incidents of Matthew ingesting inedible objects, including crisp packets, paper, twigs, a balloon, and his own incontinence pad.
However, no further incidents of such behaviour were reported by Vancouver House to Warrington Council from 2012 until September 2018, when the council handed responsibility for Mr Dale's care over to Liverpool CCG. As a result, the issue was not communicated to the CCG during the handover process.
His dad said: "Matthew loved food and would grab it from anywhere, it was quite funny and occasionally embarrassing. It was well known to anyone who knew him that Matthew would seek to put anything in his mouth."
Following the death of Mr Dale, Vancouver House was placed under investigation by Liverpool City Council, on behalf of Liverpool Clinical Commissioning Group and the Care Quality Commission.
It was rated "inadequate" by the CQC in August 2021, after inspectors found the service was poorly-led, ineffective and unsafe, with staff lacking the proper knowledge and experience to look after residents. That same month, The Priory Group mental healthcare providers announced the home's closure, citing "significant staffing challenges".
The inquest continues.
READ NEXT
'School staff member' arrested on suspicion of child sex offences
Immaculate home with 'wow factor' on the market
Killer ex-soldier battered with metal bar as he worked out in the gym
Nurse attacked by spiked teenager 'speechless' after charges dropped
30 words and phrases you'll only understand if you're from Liverpool
