A heartbreaking letter reveals a health visitor's request for two-year-old Awaab Ishak to be moved out of his mould-hit home.
The toddler died on December 21, 2020, just over a week after his second birthday. He had been living in a one-bedroom flat at the Ilminster block on Rochdale's Freehold estate, which is owned and managed by Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH).
Home Office pathologist Dr Philip Lumb previously told Rochdale Coroners' Court that mould at the property was 'the most plausible, or only explanation' for the fatal breathing conditions that led Awaab's death. The inquest heard this week how one of Awaab's health visitors, Caroline Ridley, sent a letter to RBH in July 2020 supporting a request for the family to move due to damp and mould.
She did not receive a response. Now, the Manchester Evening News can reveal exactly what was said in the letter.
In it, Ms Ridley expressed her 'concern' over Awaab living in the flat. She said she had visited the property and 'was concerned to observe a lot of mould in two rooms of the home'.
She also highlighted the health issues that the mould could cause to Awaab. She requested that the family be moved to a more suitable home that was mould-free.
The letter clearly mentioned both the toddler and his mum living in the property. Yesterday, in a written statement read at the inquest, former apprentice in RBH's Homechoice team Lorna O’Malley said she filed the letter on an IT system - before workers inspecting the property believed Awaab's dad Faisal Abdullah lived there alone.
In full, the letter said: "To whom it may concern. Re: Aisha Amin and Faisal Abdullah, Ilminster, Rochdale, OL11 4JN.
"I would like to request that the following information is considered when reviewing the housing application for the above couple. The family are housed in the above property which is a 1st floor flat with only one bedroom.
"They have a young child Awaab Ishaak [13/12/2018]. I have visited the family at home and was concerned to observe a lot of mould in two rooms of the home.
"The bathroom and the kitchen are heavily affected with black mould on the walls, ceiling and also the floor.
"Moulds produce allergens (substances that can cause an allergic reaction), irritants and, sometimes, toxic substances. Inhaling or touching mould spores may cause an allergic reaction, such as sneezing, a runny nose, red eyes and skin rash.
"Some people are more sensitive than others, including: babies and children and it can lead to other health problems, especially in children. I have advised the family to report the mould and request it is assessed and dealt with as soon as possible.
"However the family are hoping to be rehoused as they require a more suitable property. Please could you review their application and prioritise their application for them to move to a more suitable property that is mould free.
"If you would like to discuss further please do not hesitate to contact me. Yours Sincerely, Caroline Ridley, Health Visitor."
The inquest was told how some vital information about the home was hidden from some workers due to IT systems not being used properly. RBH said it used a number of different IT systems, but one of them - known as CRM - should have been used by all staff.
The statement added: "It is accepted by RBH that in 2020 the CRM system was not being fully and consistently used by RBH and not all contacts and/or communications were being logged on the CRM system. This resulted in some information relating to Awaab and his family not being immediately available to RBH staff when looking up their files."
Phil Heron, who joined RBH as head of customer experience in September 2021, told coroner Joanne Kearsley that work is now ongoing at the housing association to make sure all relevant staff are using the correct IT system. With RBH executives Nadhia Khan and Sarah Robinson watching proceedings in court, Mr Heron said the CRM system would also remind staff about important information that should be collected when logging a complaint about damp and mould.
He said: "We are now capturing more details." Mr Heron also told the court that RBH staff will also get an app on their phones to give them access to an interpreter which could help workers dealing with tenants who have limited English - as Awaab's mum Aisha Amin had, the inquest previously heard.
Joanne Hill, customer service lead at RBH, told the court that following Awaab's death a new form is being rolled out for complaints about damp and mould which will make it clear for technical inspectors to see if children are living at the property. She also suggested a 'higher priority' could be given in future when issues are raised where there are children involved or a risk to health.
Asked whether other housing associations faced challenges over damp and mould, Mr Heron insisted social landlords should learn from Awaab's case 'as a sector'.
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